Farage denies resignation is publicity stunt as Reform proposes August by-election date

Image source, Shaun Whitmore/BBC Image caption, In his first interview since resigning as MP, Nigel Farage said calling a by-election was not a publicity stunt By Lewis Adams , Simon Dedman , Essex political reporter  and  Jack Fenwick , Political correspondent Published 8 July 2026, 14:53 BST Updated 10 minutes ago Nigel Farage has told the BBC his resignation as Clacton MP and decision to stand again in a by-election is not a publicity stunt, as his opponents say they will boycott the contest. The Reform UK leader resigned on Tuesday after facing increasing scrutiny over his finances and a parliamentary investigation. In his first interview since resigning, Farage said: "The media are judging me to be a dishonest person, so it is only fair to say to the voters, 'you judge'." Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party have all declined to take part in the contest for the Essex seat. Reform says it is proposing holding the by-election on 6 August. Farage has been under intensifying pressure over his financial support , which has prompted opposition parties to call for Parliament's standards watchdog to investigate, and renewed media coverage of his financial affairs. The Reform leader, who has denied any wrongdoing, accused the parties of being "scared" to face him and said their lack of co-operation did not make it a "fake" contest. "They call it a stunt. It's not a stunt, because real voters will have a vote for an MP," he said. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has branded the move a "gimmick", while a Labour spokesperson said it would not "indulge" Farage. Why has Farage resigned and what happens next? Published 2 hours ago A Reform UK spokesman said: "Reform UK will move the writ tomorrow morning, and we are proposing a by-election on 6 August." Reform has to ask for a writ to be issued to trigger a by-election process, which has to be approved by MPs. A by-election would take place between 21 and 27 working days after that. It is not clear yet whether the council, who make the formal arrangements, would be able to hold the contest on that date. An investigation by the Parliamentary watchdog into a £5m gift he received from a billionaire Reform donor before he was an MP will be suspended during the by-election, but could be resumed if Farage is re-elected. Parliament rules say newly elected MPs have to declare gifts or benefits received in the 12 months before their election that relate to their "parliamentary or political activities", however those that are "purely personal" are exempt. Image source, Reuters Image caption, Farage was in Frinton-on-Sea, within the Clacton constituency, a day after announcing his resignation Asked why he did not declare benefits provided by convicted criminal George Cottrell, Farage said: "This is utterly spurious. Utterly spurious. "I wasn't in politics. I was a broadcaster and an influencer and he helped me go out into the English Channel when the boats started to come, film that and