- Nigel Farage's resignation as an MP could lead to an unusual situation where Clacton faces two by-elections, one immediately following the other.
- This potential scenario stems from an ongoing investigation by Parliament’s standards commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, into claims that Mr Farage failed to declare a £5m donation from billionaire Christopher Harborne.
- A second by-election could be triggered if the investigation concludes with a suspension of more than 10 days for Mr Farage, and a subsequent recall petition in Clacton garners support from at least 10 per cent of voters.
- Crucially, the standards probe will be suspended now that Mr Farage has resigned and will only recommence if he is re-elected to Parliament, meaning any sanctions or a potential second by-election would occur after the initial by-election.
- Reform MP Robert Jenrick confirmed the possibility of a second by-election should Mr Farage win the first, describing the situation as 'utterly absurd' but affirming Mr Farage's commitment to continue fighting.
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