Are Farage's tribulations weakening Reform UK?

He has been around British politics far longer than any of the other main party leaders, but Nigel Farage has never before endured such sustained scrutiny as he has faced in recent weeks.

- SEAN O'GRADY

In one sense, it is a compliment to Farage's resilience and the rise of his Reform UK that he is treated in this fashion: consistently well ahead in the opinion polls, set for more gains in next year's elections in Scotland, Wales and the English local authorities. Farage is now a realistic contender to become prime minister, and he's survived more scrapes than anyone can remember. But certainly things haven't been going so smoothly lately...

What's the latest?

Mr Farage has been reported to the police by a former member of his own team. His constituency branch of Reform UK is accused of exceeding the election expenses limit during his successful campaign to become MP for Clacton at last year's general election.

Richard Everett, a former Reform councillor and member of the Clacton team, says there was an overspend relating to leaflets, banners, utility bills and the refurbishment of a Reform UK-themed bar in the campaign office. Mr Farage's officially declared costs were £400 under the limit (based on the number of voters) of £20,660, but Mr Everett says the undeclared items mean the cap was breached by as much as £9,000. But he also says Mr Farage would have been “blissfully unaware” of any overspend.

Does this mean a by-election?

There's a long way to go first, and Mr Farage might be able to distance himself from it despite signing a declaration that he had examined the expenses. And even if there was a by-election in Clacton, he'd probably be returned with an even bigger majority.

How is Mr Farage coping?