Nigel Farage House he 'bought' in Clacton is owned by partner

Nigel Farage claimed with great fanfare to have "bought a house" in Clacton-on-Sea in Essex last year - but it turns out the substantial detached property is owned in the name of his partner.

- Rowena Mason

The Reform UK leader said he had "exchanged contracts" for the house last November, saying it should deal with criticism that he did not spend enough time in his parliamentary constituency.

However, the home in an upmarket part of the constituency was actually solely purchased by Laure Ferrari - his partner of some years.

Farage was asked by the Guardian why he had claimed to be the buyer, and whether the property had been purchased in Ferrari's name in a way that let him legally avoid higher-rate stamp duty on the purchase of an additional residential house - given he already owned other properties.

He was also asked whether he was the ultimate source of funds for the transaction, either by gift or loan, and whether it was Ferrari's sole property in the UK - which could make her eligible for standard rate stamp duty.