- Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election, retaining the seat for Reform UK on a turnout of 44.37 per cent.
- The Reform UK leader skipped the official count, claiming Essex Police advised him to stay away due to a credible security threat.
- Essex Police and local election officials, however, said no candidates were advised to stay away and robust security was in place.
- The by-election was triggered by Mr Farage resigning amid a parliamentary standards investigation into an undeclared £5 million donation from a cryptocurrency tycoon.
- Opponents noted that the standards investigation will resume now he has won, potentially exposing him to further sanctions or another recall petition.
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