The bankers filed a suspicious activity report, or SAR, with the agency on May 16 2024, according to the Guardian, which noted they were not satisfied they could trace the ultimate origin of the funds. A SAR is not proof of wrongdoing and is not the same as a crime report. It is a flag that invites the agency to examine a transaction and decide whether there are grounds for further investigation.
Farage told the paper he had not known about the SAR and had "no reason to doubt the ultimate source of the money." He claimed the information had been “illegally obtained” by the newspaper, and said he was unaware of any discussions with the NCA about transactions involving him.
The NCA declined to confirm or deny to the Guardian that it had received any report, saying SARs are confidential and that breaching that confidentiality could amount to a "tipping off" offense under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Nigel Farage has been approached for comment.
The timing of the giftThat timeline, the Guardian noted, appears to clash with an account in a new book, "The Farage Factor" by Conservative peer Michael Ashcroft, which says Reform was already preparing to launch his candidacy by mid-May, having recruited a GB News producer to help promote a planned announcement event.
Farage's deepening crisisIf re-elected, Farage would still face the standards inquiry and any reprimand that follows.
