The Papers: 'Let the people judge' and 'Farage gamble turns to farce'

'Let the people judge' and 'Farage gamble turns to farce' Published2 minutes agoImage caption, The announcement of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage resigning as MP for Clacton to trigger a by-election is the lead in many of Wednesday's papers. Farage's gamble "has descended into a farce", reports the Daily Telegraph, after his political rivals said they would not stand against him. Opponents have dubbed the resignation a "circus" and "desperate stunt", according to the paper. Image caption, Following intense scrutiny over financial support he received, Farage declared "the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions", the Daily Express reports. Farage is facing two parliamentary investigations into donations, which he says were personal. He has insisted he has done nothing wrong, the paper reports. Image caption, Farage has said his by-election move is about the "people versus establishment", according the i Paper. The Reform UK leader was due to be interviewed by "parliament's standards watchdog in the next fortnight over £5m gift from crypto tycoon", the paper reports, but the ongoing investigation has now been suspended.Image caption, Farage's "gambit falls flat" after rival parties undercut his by-election move "by refusing to join the vote", the Financial Times reports. In his announcement yesterday, the Reform UK leader said the move would allow him to show "two fingers" to critics, the paper reports. Image caption, The Guardian has led with an exclusive on the £5m gift to Farage by cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, alleging that it was reported to the National Crime Agency by bankers "who were concerned it may have been laundered money". Farage has maintained he has done nothing wrong. Image caption, "Clacton MP quits... to stand as Clacton MP," the Metro splashes, "amid row over ties t...