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Reform members warned of Farage scam

(Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Uh oh. It’s a busy time for elected politicians trying to work their way around Westminster and no party knows that better than Reform UK. For the first time the group now has parliamentarians elected under its own banner, after sweeping up 14 per cent of the vote share last week. 

But it’s not all been plain sailing so far. Nigel Farage received groans in the Commons after he used his first speech to attack former Speaker John Bercow, and the appointment of Richard Tice as deputy leader left the unelected Ben Habib rather outraged earlier today. And now Steerpike can reveal the party is desperately trying to stop its members from being scammed on messaging app Telegram. In an email sent out to the membership this evening, Reform has warned social media users that an account impersonating Farage himself is conning people for cash — and the party has even involved the police. Crikey.

The email reads:

We have been made aware of attempts to defraud members of the public including party members on the messaging platform Telegram. If you use this app please be aware of attempts under the guise of our leader ‘Nigel Farage MP’ to contact you and ask you to make a donation in order to become a ‘VIP member’. 

This is a SCAM and if you or anyone you know have been contacted then please report this to the party who are in contact with the police.

Oo er. Mr S can bet it’s not the kind of issue the party’s MPs would have expected to deal with in their first week. Talk about a rocky start…

Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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