Reform 'baffled' over investigation into Richard Tice after claim he 'failed to declare an interest while fighting antisemitism'

The investigation was opened on July 28 and was published on the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner website today.

A Reform source described the investigation as "baffling" to the Telegraph, saying: "He was fighting anti-Semitism in Westminster Hall, and it ends up in an investigation."

Mr Tice has taken to social media to condemn the investigation.

Writing on X, he said: "Contrary to garbage in media: I am being investigated for standing against antisemitism.

"You could not make it up.

"Standards Commissioner is considering complaint by antisemitic anti-Israel lobby group over whether I should have referenced my register of interests at start of a debate on UK democracy and Israeli influence.

"The same anti-Israel group failed to notify Commissioner that Ayoub Khan MP did not declare his substantial donation received from a pro Palestine group.

"Funny that…"

Reform has said Mr Tice did not mention in his June 22 speech that he had visited Israel last September, which was paid for by a pro-Israel lobby group.

The trip was declared by Mr Tice on October 19 last year and can be seen on the UK Parliament website.

A Labour Party spokesman said the scandals "hanging over" the party is an indication Reform does not think "the rules apply to them".

Reform UK and its senior members have come under significant scrutiny after multiple investigations have been launched into their finance dealings

PA

They said: "The Reform sleaze scandals continue to pile up.

"Richard Tice is now under investigation by the Standards Commissioner, on top of his firm avoiding paying £600,000 in tax.

"This means that both Reform's leader and deputy leader now have standards investigations hanging over them.

"With police probes, Nigel Farage's secret £5 million gift, and reports of funding from a convicted fraudster - it's clear Reform think the rules just don't apply to them."