Nigel Farage has been issued a bill exceeding £8,000 by Tony Mack, a former Reform UK candidate, for campaign expenses incurred during the general election campaign in Clacton. Mack claims that Farage had promised him reimbursement for these expenses in a phone call, assuring him that the party would cover all costs.
Mack, a psychotherapist and charity worker, alleges he was sidelined by Reform UK when Farage decided to stand as the candidate, leading to Mack being excluded from the campaign.
Mack asserts that he was ousted unfairly and accuses Farage of reneging on their agreement, which included promises beyond financial reimbursement. He describes an unpleasant atmosphere in Clacton, marked by an “aggressive element” among some Reform UK supporters, which he says created a “fascistic” environment.
In a letter to Farage, Mack detailed his claims and expressed concern about the party’s future under Farage’s leadership, fearing it lacked democratic structure and questioning Farage’s reliability in keeping promises to his constituents and supporters.
Tony Mack
Running independently in Clacton, Mack experienced significant hostility online, which he attributes to Reform UK supporters, and he reported this abuse to the police. He states that he made a formal request for Farage to honor his financial commitments during a phone call and an in-person meeting in early June.
The expenses in question include the unauthorized use of a website Mack created, promotional materials, and venue hire, along with a promised salaried position in Farage’s team.
Reform UK sources, however, suggest that Mack’s grievances are personal, noting that he initially supported Farage’s candidacy and even signed his nomination papers. Despite this, Mack ran as an independent and garnered 317 votes. He had originally been selected as the Reform UK candidate in October 2023 before being replaced by Farage.
Farage successfully overturned a Conservative majority of over 25,000 votes to win the Clacton seat comfortably, marking his eighth attempt to enter the House of Commons. Mack’s accusations and the ensuing dispute underscore tensions within Reform UK and raise questions about the party’s internal dynamics and Farage’s leadership style.
