Labour and the Liberal Democrats are demanding Nigel Farage explain whether he avoided paying tax on a house in his Clacton constituency after questions emerged over how the property was purchased.
The £885,000 home in Frinton-on-Sea is owned entirely by Farage’s partner, Laure Ferrari. In May, the Guardian reported that Farage had initially claimed he bought the house himself, before later saying it was in Ferrari’s name for “security reasons.”
By having Ferrari as the buyer, Farage avoided an estimated £44,000 in higher stamp duty, since he already owns other properties.
At a Reform UK conference last week, Farage confirmed to the Mirror that Ferrari owns the house outright, calling suggestions of tax avoidance “disgusting.” He denied giving her money, saying: “I haven’t lent money to anybody. I didn’t give her money. She comes from a very successful French family and she can afford it herself. It’s convenient, it works, and she loves it there.”
But a BBC investigation found little evidence of wealth in Ferrari’s family background. Her father’s haulage company in Strasbourg was liquidated in 2020, and her parents live in a modest flat worth around £300,000. The family also owns a former business property now rented out for an estimated £7,000 to £7,800 a month.
Ferrari, 45, once ran a clothing shop that closed, and records show she now directs Baxter Laois Limited, linked to Farage’s gin brand. The company’s latest accounts listed assets of just £1,000.
Farage’s lawyers, Grosvenor Law, told the BBC they sought advice from a top tax barrister, who concluded there was no underpayment or improper avoidance of stamp duty. They did not explain why or when that advice was sought.
It would be legal for Farage to have provided the funds, but such a move would raise accusations of hypocrisy, as he has previously criticized Labour’s Angela Rayner for underpaying stamp duty.
Labour MP Anna Turley said Farage had “misled his constituents and the British public” and must “urgently come clean” about whether he contributed to the purchase.
Liberal Democrat spokesperson Sarah Olney added: “After spending days attacking others over their tax arrangements he now needs to be frank and honest about his own.”
Farage and Grosvenor Law did not respond to requests for comment.
