Labour Reports Alleged Hack of Nigel Farage's Phone to Police and Cybersecurity Officials

Labour chair Anna Turley has asked the Metropolitan Police and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to investigate Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's claims that his phone was hacked by Russian-linked actors, after Farage himself failed to report the alleged breach.

In a letter to Farage, Turley wrote: "Quite apart from the implications for you personally, the alleged crime is an incredibly serious one, with potential wider implications for Britain's national security, the integrity of our politics and public confidence in our democratic system." She added: "I have therefore today contacted the National Cyber Security Centre and the Metropolitan police to ensure that the suspicions you and Reform UK have publicly raised are investigated properly."

Farage has not reported the alleged hack to the police or NCSC. Labour's contact with the Metropolitan Police does not constitute a formal crime report, making it unlikely the force will begin an investigation on that basis. The Met is now considering reaching out to Farage to ask if he wants to report the matter.

Reform UK said last weekend it believes Farage's information was obtained by "hostile actors, almost certainly linked to Moscow." A Reform spokesperson said: "It has been reported to the relevant authorities. It would be inappropriate to comment further while investigations are ongoing." Labour challenged the party to refer the case to the NCSC, but it is understood that had not happened by Thursday afternoon.

The allegations surfaced after The Guardian reported that Farage received a £5m gift in 2024 from Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, shortly before Farage announced he would stand for parliament despite previously saying he would not. Farage initially said the money was for security costs, later calling it a "reward" for his years of campaigning for Brexit.

Reform sources have claimed The Guardian's story originated from a hack by Russian spies. A party source told the Mail on Sunday that Farage had submitted his phone for forensic analysis by counterespionage experts, who concluded it had been compromised through a "spear phishing" attack. The Guardian called the hack claim "absurd" and said it was an attempt to deflect attention from legitimate scrutiny of Farage's financial affairs.

Conservative chair Kevin Hollinrake told The Guardian that Farage had spent years "making excuses for [Vladimir] Putin" but was now "playing the Russia card" when confronted with questions over his donations.

Farage also faces questions over whether he should have paid tax on the Harborne gift. Labour MPs Phil Brickell, chair of the anti-corruption all-party parliamentary group, and Lloyd Hatton, a Labour MP on the public accounts committee, have written to HMRC to examine whether Farage owed tax on the money. Tax expert Dan Neidle said Farage could be liable if the money was provided in return for work carried out for Harborne or as an incentive to stand for parliament, but concluded this was unlikely and that Farage "probably doesn't owe tax" on the gift.