Boris Johnson has given support to Count Binface against Nigel Farage in a row over a possible second by-election in Clacton.
The ex-Conservative Prime Minister voiced backing to the idea that if people voted for the “space and electoral warrior” created by comedian Jon Harvey it may avoid the expense of a rematch in the contest for the Essex seaside constituency.
Mr Farage faces a showdown with Count Binface in the August 13 by-election after all other major parties decided not to put up candidates in the contest.
The by-election was triggered by the Reform UK leader resigning from Parliament as he faced a swirl of financial allegations.
There are a string of other minor candidates but the contest is shaping up to being, or at least being portrayed as, a largely two-way battle between Mr Farage and Count Binface.
The Reform leader, who is favourite given that he won nearly half the vote at the 2024 general election, denies breaking any Commons rules over his financial affairs.
But if he is found by Parliament’s anti-sleaze watchdog to having committed breaches, having been re-elected MP for Clacton, then he could face a recall petition and possibly a second by-election.
Appearing on Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Mr Johnson initially shied away from siding with either Mr Farage or Count Binface.
“I think it would be a very bad idea for me to blight any candidate with my support,” he said.
However, the ex-London Mayor suggested the by-election was unnecessary.
He then ventured: “I thought Count Binface had rather a good point when he said that a vote for him would actually preclude the expense of a second by-election.”
After Mr Farage resigned from the Commons, a probe by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards into him, over a £5 million gift from Reform donor Christopher Harborne before he became an MP, is understood to have been paused.
The Reform leader is also facing calls for an investigation following reports that long-term ally George Cottrell had provided undeclared funding for security and staffing in the year before he was elected.
Mr Cottrell reportedly recruited and paid three staff to work on Mr Farage’s social media before the general election, and continued to allow him to use a five-storey Georgian property he rented near Buckingham Palace.
Reform has faced more funding allegations in recent days.
Mr Farage has flatly rejected the claims of wrongdoing and says he followed Commons rules.
But if he is found to have breached Commons rules on declaring interests and is suspended for more than 10 sitting days, it could trigger a recall petition, potentially leading to another Clacton by-election.
Always worth knowing when bin day is. pic.twitter.com/tIuKFfb3Fk
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) July 8, 2026
His decision to stand down may already have backfired as it has unleashed a wave of criticism and mockery led by Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham.
The furore has also gone global, being reported in America, Australia, India, France, Italy and many other countries around the world.
