News

Nigel Farage faces standards probe over £5m gift

Published

1 month ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Reform UK leader denies wrongdoing as parliamentary watchdog examines undeclared payment

NIGEL FARAGE is facing a parliamentary standards investigation over a £5 million gift from a major Reform UK donor.

The Reform UK leader, who has been MP for Clacton since July 2024, was referred to Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Daniel Greenberg after reports emerged that he had received a previously undeclared payment from Thailand-based cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne in 2024.

The investigation is understood to relate to the rules requiring MPs to register relevant financial interests, including certain benefits received in the 12 months before entering Parliament.

Mr Farage has strongly denied wrongdoing and has said the money was a personal, unconditional gift connected to his safety and security, not his political activity.

A Reform UK spokesman said: “Mr Farage’s office is in communication with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

“He has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken.

“We look forward to this being put to bed once and for all.”

Mr Harborne has previously been identified as a significant donor to Reform UK. Reports say the £5 million payment was made before Mr Farage announced he would stand in Clacton at the 2024 general election.

The opening of an investigation does not mean Mr Farage has been found to have breached parliamentary rules.

However, the case is politically sensitive because of the size of the payment and because of Mr Farage’s prominent role as leader of Reform UK.

If the commissioner ultimately finds there has been a breach, the matter could be dealt with by correction in less serious cases, or referred to the Commons Standards Committee in more serious circumstances.

In the most serious cases, MPs can face suspension from the House of Commons. A suspension of ten sitting days or more can trigger a recall petition, potentially leading to a by-election if enough constituents sign it.

Mr Farage has previously been subject to a standards rectification process over late declarations of financial interests. The latest inquiry comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over political donations and party funding, with Reform UK under growing attention as it seeks to build on recent electoral gains.

Mr Farage remains entitled to the presumption that no breach has occurred unless and until the parliamentary standards process reaches a conclusion.

News

Police close Hakin Bridge amid welfare concern

Published

45 seconds ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Bridge was shut for around 35 minutes while officers dealt with incident

POLICE temporarily closed Hakin Bridge in Milford Haven over the weekend following concerns for the welfare of an individual.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the bridge at around 11:20pm on Saturday (June 13).

The road was closed shortly afterwards, at around 11:30pm, while officers dealt with the incident.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a call for a concern of welfare of an individual on Hakin Bridge, Milford Haven at around 11:20pm on Saturday, June 13.

“The individual was spoken to by officers at the scene, who ensured their safety.

“The road was closed from 11:30pm and reopened at approximately 12:05am on Sunday, June 14.”

The closure lasted around 35 minutes and affected traffic between Hakin and Milford Haven.

Photo caption:

Temporary closure: Hakin Bridge was closed while police dealt with the incident (Pic: File image).

Community

Pembrokeshire young people to benefit from new Youth Hub

Published

10 minutes ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE is among 20 areas in Wales set to benefit from a Youth Hub aimed at helping young people into work, training and education.

The UK Labour Government has confirmed that seven more Youth Hubs will open across Wales over the next two years, in addition to 13 areas already announced in the first year of the programme.

Pembrokeshire was included in the first round of areas allocated a hub, alongside Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Caerphilly, Newport, Wrexham and others.

The hubs are designed to bring together job centre services, careers advice, skills and training opportunities, mental health support, housing advice and links to local employers offering live jobs and apprenticeships.

The aim is to ensure that every young person in Wales is no more than one hour away from a Youth Hub by public transport.

Shav Taj MS, Welsh Labour spokesperson for Employment and Equalities, said local and tailored support was “invaluable” in helping young people take their first step onto the jobs ladder.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said the hubs would help young people get “that vital first job” by providing support, training opportunities and connections to employers.

The UK Government says the Youth Hubs form part of a wider £2.5bn programme to tackle youth unemployment, with more than 360 local areas across Great Britain expected to be covered over the next three years.

Exact local sites will be decided by delivery partners working with local authorities.

Entertainment

Bring your dancing shoes as Lipstick on Your Collar comes to Torch Theatre

Published

3 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hit-packed celebration of the 1950s and 60s promises a night of nostalgia, live music and dancing

MUSIC lovers are being invited to step back in time for an evening of nostalgia as Lipstick on Your Collar arrives at the Torch Theatre later this month.

Packed with more than forty classic hits from the 1950s and 60s, the show celebrates the golden age of music, from the birth of rock ’n’ roll to the beat group sounds of the British Invasion and beyond.

Audiences can expect favourites made famous by stars including Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, The Ronettes, Cliff Richard and Cilla Black.

Performed by a full live band featuring some of the country’s top musicians, the production promises excellent vocals, tight harmonies and an infectious sense of fun.

Organisers say dancing in the aisles is “strictly compulsory”, with audiences encouraged to dust off their dancing shoes and enjoy an evening of feel-good entertainment.

Lipstick on Your Collar comes to the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven on Sunday (June 28) at 7:30pm.

Tickets cost £27 and are available from the Torch Theatre box office on 01646 695267 or online at torchtheatre.co.uk.