Nigel Farage’s approval rating has plummeted to its lowest level since the general election as scrutiny grows over his financial affairs, a poll has found.
The Reform UK leader’s personal ratings have fallen to minus 27 percentage points, while support for his party has fallen by two points, down to 24 per cent, according to Opinium.
Mr Farage is under increasing pressure, with it emerging that the Metropolitan Police has been investigating £500,000 of donations to his political party for more than a year.
The Clacton MP resigned and called a by-election in which he will run, but his main opponent is likely to be parody candidate Count Binface, after mainstream parties refused to participate.
One in three British adults (33 per cent) would rather see Count Binface winning the Clacton by-election, a YouGov survey found.
Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice has insisted a donor at the heart of a row over the party’s finances comes from a “very successful aristocratic family” and the ongoing row is a “politically motivated smear”.
According to The Times, convicted fraudster George Cottrell’s mother, Fiona, made two £250,000 payments to Reform before the last general election in 2024, and also gave £1 million to Britain Means Business, which Mr Tice is a director of.
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Key Points
- Farage approval rating at lowest level since election, poll finds
- Tice: I’ve known the Cottrell family for 50 years
- Inside Nigel Farage’s desperate by-election plan to snatch the political agenda from Burnham
- Labour says Reform faces 'legitimate questions' over donation probe
- Farage by-election confirmed for 13 August
- Count Binface gives verdict on Trump and why Harry Kane is ‘just like me’
Shabana Mahmood to set out plans to change law to deport grooming gang leader
07:49 , Dan HaygarthThe home secretary is due to set out changes to the law to allow for the deportation of Rochdale grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed.
Shabana Mahmood is expected to set out proposals on Monday to amend a 1971 law preventing the removal of Ahmed, who was released from prison earlier this month.
However, it is understood that Pakistan is unlikely to take him back.
Ahmed was released on 2 July after serving 14 years since his conviction in 2012 for rape and sexual offences against girls, some as young as 12. He had been sentenced to 19 years in prison.
The Government has been examining ways to deport him since his release last week. The 1971 law forbids the removal of a small group of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK more than 50 years ago.
Ms Mahmood is expected to detail a way to close the loophole in the Immigration Act which prevents his deportation even though he has already been stripped of his British citizenship.
It is not clear whether Ms Mahmood’s planned changes will come under separate fast-tracked legislation or as an amendment to the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which is due to be debated in the Commons on Monday.
UK economy set to stagnate as Iran war and high energy costs hold back growth
07:34 , Dan HaygarthThe UK economy is expected to have remained stagnant for another month, with industries under pressure and geopolitical tensions hindering growth.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) will publish May’s gross domestic product (GDP) figures on Thursday.
Economists widely anticipate GDP either flatlined or declined in May, following April's 0.1 per cent slip. This marked a sharp pullback from 0.3 per cent growth in March and 0.4 per cent in February, the first contraction since last August.
Read more:
UK economy set to stagnate as Iran war and high energy costs hold back growth
Campaigner ‘over the moon’ as Hillsborough Law returns to Commons
07:18 , Dan HaygarthA campaigner whose son died in the Hillsborough disaster says she is “over the moon” amid news a proposed law to improve accountability in public office is likely to clear the House of Commons this week.
The law change, officially known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, would create a legally-enforceable duty of candour which compels public officials and authorities to act transparently when investigations and inquiries take place.
It takes its name from the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 when 97 Liverpool fans were killed at the football stadium in Sheffield in a crush during an FA Cup semi-final match.
Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James died in the disaster, told the Daily Mirror she was “absolutely delighted, over the moon, absolutely made up”.
Deputy prime minister David Lammy said he was “confident” the draft legislation would be back “in the coming days” at the despatch box last week, but other Government figures suggested it would not return until after the summer recess.
If passed, the Bill could form one of Sir Keir Starmer’s last acts as prime minister.
Ms Aspinall, who chairs the Hillsborough Family Support group, told the newspaper: “When I was speaking to Keir Starmer, I told him this would be a lovely legacy for you to leave behind.
“I always believed he wanted to give us the Hillsborough Law. It was others stopping him. Now it’s done.”
She continued: “Our families have worked hard for this, but it’s not for us, it’s for the country. We’ve done it for the people of this country. I’m so proud.
“People have to tell the truth, whoever they are. The lies have cost millions. The cover-ups have cost millions. The truth costs nothing.”
Badenoch's approval rating jumps as Farage's drops
07:00 , Harriette BoucherKemi Badenoch now has the highest approval rating of any party leader after Nigel Farage suffered his biggest drop since the election.
The latest Opinium poll found that the Tory leader’s approval rating has improved to -3 percentage points, while Mr Farage’s has fallen sharply to net -27, which is his lowest rating of this parliament.
Ed Davey remains on -5, Andy Burnham stands on -8, Zack Polanski improves slightly to -16, and Keir Starmer falls to -45.
Farage’s decline is also reflected in his leadership attributes, Opinium found.
His weakest ratings are for being trustworthy (-32), looking like a prime minister-in-waiting (-26), and being trusted to make big decisions (-24).
Burnham will inherit a better economy thanks to me - Reeves
06:00 , Harriette BoucherAndy Burnham will inherit a “much stronger economy” because of the actions of his Labour predecessors, Rachel Reeves has insisted.
Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg in what could be her final broadcast interview as Chancellor, Ms Reeves acknowledged the public was “impatient for change” when asked why Sir Keir Starmer’s Government was being ousted in a Labour leadership contest.
She said: “I’m impatient for change, and I totally get that people want to see their lives changed faster, and that will be the job for Andy Burnham when he becomes a prime minister of our country in just over a week’s time.
“But he’s becoming prime minister because of the majority that we secured.
“I also know because of the work that I have done, Andy will take over an economy that is much stronger than the one that I inherited from the Conservatives just two years ago.”
Farage not ready to 'face the music' surrounding £5m gift says Clacton-on-Sea resident
05:00 , Harriette BoucherComment: Farage’s grubby millions reveal the biggest problem in British politics
04:00 , Harriette BoucherChris Blackhurst writes:
There is an overriding sense of deja vu with the Nigel Farage donation/non-donation saga.
Yet again, British politics has descended into the gutter of rich folk paying for favours – or not, if you believe Farage. Yet again, the people’s faith in our democratic process is brought down another peg or three, although it is now so low as to not matter – we’ve had so many scandals and inquiries and reviews that it makes no difference.
We’ve also had election contests. Count Binface may be challenging Farage this time, but in the past, there was Martin Bell, in his trademark white suit, taking on Neil Hamilton, after the latter pleaded with his constituents not to judge him ahead of the report into claims he had taken cash for asking questions in parliament.
Today, the Reform UK leader is similarly asking the voters of Clacton to show what they think of a parliamentary inquiry into a gift of £5m from billionaire Christopher Harborne that Farage received shortly before becoming an MP. There is also the row about George Cottrell, convicted of wire fraud in the US in 2017, paying for Farage’s staff and security, while the Metropolitan Police are investigating £500,000 worth of donations to Reform from Cottrell’s mother.
Bell, the BBC journalist, stood as the independent anti-sleaze candidate and won the Tatton seat, previously a Hamilton and Tory stronghold, with an 11,000 majority. “It was not my victory, it was your victory,” said Bell in his victory address. “I believe you have lit a beacon, which will shed a light in some dark corners and illuminate the mother of parliaments itself. It is a message which will be heeded.”
Whether Binface emerges triumphant and channels the same rhetoric remains to be seen, but the parallels are obvious. The depressing note is that Bell uttered those words in 1997 and here we are, nearly 30 years later, still playing the same record.
In between, there have been controversies galore. They all centre on one thing: the nexus between money and power. They follow, too, a familiar pattern: a newspaper exposé (where would society be without journalists digging? A question to be borne in mind as Hacked Off and others demand curbs on freedom of the press); denials and further accusations; MPs jumping up and down; grave statements from No 10 – and an official probe, a report, and, if the person is found guilty, punishment and possible ruination.
Read more here:
Farage’s grubby millions reveal the big problem in British politics
What are prediction markets saying about Binface?
03:00 , Harriette BoucherThe US is getting involved in the battle between Nigel Farage and Count Binface, making bets on whether the satirical candidate could emerge as Clacton’s next MP.
Kalshi, a prediction market platform, have the odds of Binface securing at least 15 per cent of the vote at 65 per cent.
Nigel Farage has a 92 per cent chance of winning the by-election, while Binface has an per cent chance, according to Kalshi.
Polymarket, another prediction market, also has the odds of the Reform leader winning at 92 per cent.
It suggests there is a seven per cent chance he will get more than 40 per cent of the vote share.
Watch: Reeves warns Burnham ‘governing is hard’ and he must have a plan
02:00 , Harriette Boucher‘I can’t tell you how many death threats I’ve had’, says minister amid Ann Widdecombe murder probe
01:00 , Harriette Boucher
Minister reveals death threats amid Ann Widdecombe murder probe
Nigel Farage pays tribute to Ann Widdecombe
Monday 13 July 2026 00:00 , Harriette BoucherWho is standing in Nigel Farage’s showdown with Count Binface?
Sunday 12 July 2026 23:00 , Harriette BoucherNigel Farage’s by-election in Clacton is set to be boycotted by most major parties, after the Reform UK leader was accused of using the vote as a distraction.
The election is taking place on 13 August, and a full candidate list will be published next Friday.
So who will be standing? Here is a list of the candidates:
- Nigel Farage, Reform UK
- Count Binface, Count Binface Party
- Adham Alkhatip, Forward Party
- Remus Bell, Independent
- Marc Berger, Independent
- Piers Corbyn, Independent
- Rees Cowne, Independent
- Mr Fishfinger, Independent
- Laurence Fox, Reclaim Party
- Rob Pownall, Independent
- Kai Stephens, British Democratic Party
- Luke Worley, Independent
Comment: Inside the Andy Burnham security pact which could reshape Britain’s future
Sunday 12 July 2026 22:00 , Harriette BoucherThe next prime minister faces a dangerous world and a weakened Britain. A bold defence agreement with Europe could restore the influence the country has lost, says former InFacts chair Hugo Dixon
Inside the Andy Burnham security pact which could reshape Britain’s future
Reeves appears to accept time as chancellor is over as she warns Burnham ‘governing is hard’
Sunday 12 July 2026 21:00 , Harriette BoucherWhitehall correspondent Kate Devlin writes:
Rachel Reeves has warned Andy Burnham he needs to have a proper plan for government when he enters Downing Street in just over a week’s time.
In what is likely to be her last interview as chancellor, she appeared to concede her hopes of staying in the role were over and told the PM-in-waiting “governing is hard in Britain”.
During an appearance on the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg programme, she said: “It is important that when Andy walks through that door, that he has a worked through plan, because governing is hard in Britain, and lots of lots of challenges and shocks will come his way.
“What is really important is that him and his team are really clear about what they want to achieve. As those shocks come along, he needs to stay laser focused on those things that have always motivated him, have always driven him, and are the reason why he wants to lead our great country.”
Ms Reeves was one of hundreds of Labour MPs who nominated Mr Burnham to replace Sir Keir Starmer earlier this week and she said she wanted his time in office to be a success.
But her use of the phrase “his team” will be widely seen as an acknowledgment that her call a fortnight ago to stay in post has fallen on deaf ears.
In the interview, a defiant Ms Reeves also refused to say her controversial decision to strip the winter fuel allowance from millions of pensioners had been a mistake and admitted her crying in the Commons was her toughest moment in the job.
She also defended Mr Burnham, saying that claims he had been preparing for life in Downing Street for at least a year were “perfectly reasonable”.
Reeves warns Burnham ‘governing is hard’ and says he must have robust plan
Badenoch's approval rating jumps as Farage's drops
Sunday 12 July 2026 20:00 , Harriette BoucherKemi Badenoch now has the highest approval rating of any party leader after Nigel Farage suffered his biggest drop since the election.
The latest Opinium poll found that the Tory leader’s approval rating has improved to -3 percentage points, while Mr Farage’s has fallen sharply to net -27, which is his lowest rating of this parliament.
Ed Davey remains on -5, Andy Burnham stands on -8, Zack Polanski improves slightly to -16, and Keir Starmer falls to -45.
Farage’s decline is also reflected in his leadership attributes, Opinium found.
His weakest ratings are on being trustworthy (-32), looking like a prime minister in waiting (-26), and being trusted to take big decisions (-24).
Rachel Reeves has been an irresponsible chancellor, says Stride
Sunday 12 July 2026 19:00 , Harriette BoucherSir Mel Stride said he does not believe Rachel Reeves has been a responsible Chancellor overall.
Asked on BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg whether he believes she has been a “responsible” Chancellor, he said: “No I don’t, because Rachel Reeves came into government without a plan, as indeed did Keir Starmer and that’s been central to their undoing.
“She was somebody who spoke about growth, growth, growth, but we’ve seen very anaemic growth since she’s been in.”
He said she made the “wrong choices”, referring to putting up taxes, particularly on businesses, which he said “destroyed growth”, adding that she “talked down the economy”.
Sir Mel also said Ms Reeves borrowed “vast amounts of money”.
“And if you do those things, you destroy growth, you destroy businesses, you have increased unemployment, highest level for five years, massive youth unemployment, and you have a low growth overextended economy that’s very fragile.
“That is what she has left,” he said.
Watch Ann Widdecombe’s last TV appearance given hours before her death
Sunday 12 July 2026 18:00 , Rebecca WhittakerAnn Widdecombe defended Nigel Farage’s re-election bid in Clacton as “the right course to take” in her final TV interview just a day before her death at the age of 78.
The former Conservative minister turned Reform UK member was found with "significant injuries" at her home on Dartmoor in Devon on Thursday (9 July) morning.
Devon and Cornwall Police have since launched a murder investigation.
Appearing on Talk TV on Wednesday (8 July), in her final TV appearance, the former MP defended the Reform UK’s leader’s decision to stand down as MP.
“This is a very decisive man,” she said, adding that she believes he is “taking matters into his own hands”.
Watch here:
Watch Ann Widdecombe’s last TV appearance given hours before her death
Watch: Crying in Commons was toughest moment in the job, says Rachel Reeves
Sunday 12 July 2026 17:00 , Rebecca WhittakerShould Count Binface be more serious if he becomes an MP?
Sunday 12 July 2026 16:00 , Rebecca WhittakerIf Count Binface won the Clacton by-election about a quarter (26 per cent) of adults think he should stay in Character, according to a YouGov survey.
But about half (48 per cent) think he should drop the character and be more serious.
It comes as one in three British adults (33 per cent) would rather see Count Binface winning the Clacton by-election over Nigel Farage.
