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

Farage denies resignation is a publicity stuntImage source, Shaun Whitmore/BBCImage caption, In his first interview since resigning as MP, Nigel Farage said calling a by-election was not a publicity stuntByLewis Adams and Simon Dedman, Essex political reporterPublished8 July 2026, 14:53 BSTUpdated 31 minutes agoNigel Farage has told the BBC his resignation as Clacton MP is not a publicity stunt, saying it is "only fair" that it is the electorate who judges him.The Reform UK leader has vowed to fight to regain his seat in Essex, having triggered a by-election on Tuesday.He has been under intensifying pressure over his financial support, after the Sunday Times reported he had not declared gifts."The media are judging me to be a dishonest person, so it is only fair to say to the voters, 'you judge'," said Farage, in his first interview since resigning.Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party have all declined to take part in the by-election.Farage, who has denied any financial wrongdoing, accused them 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?Published1 hour agoAn 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, Reute...