Reform’s biggest donor Christopher Harborne is suing Ben Habib for libel over claims he made that Harborne had given Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson £1 million each to effectively rig the 2019 general election. 

Habib made the comments in May, in an interview with Paul Thorpe, a right-wing Youtuber and former watch dealer.

In the interview, Habib, who left Reform in November 2024 over disagreements with Farage and Zia Yusuf, alleged “The 2019 general election was sewn up between Nigel Farage, Christopher Harborne and Boris Johnson, and it was a monetary deal”.

He added that Harborne could sue him, stating: “He can sue me, if he thinks that I’m lying”. 

In November 2019, Farage announced that the Brexit Party would not field any candidates against the Conservatives in the 317 seats they won in the 2017 election.

Farage entered into the alliance, saying he felt reassured after Johnson said he would not accept an extension of the transition period for Britain leaving the EU beyond the end of 2020.

In November 2022, Harborne donated £1 million to The Office of Boris Johnson Ltd. Habib alleges that Farage also received £1 million.

The particulars of Harborne’s claim against Habib have now been published, and put before the court by Harborne’s lawyers, Shillings.

The document, which sets out the detailed facts, legal basis, and remedy sought by Harborne, accuses Habib’s statement of being “defamatory”.

It also states that “the Claimant’s [Harborne] reputation was seriously harmed” and that he “has suffered distress” as a result of Habib’s allegation.

The document does not disclose how much the British-Thai billionaire will be seeking in damages from Habib. 

Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward

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