The Labour Party has raised questions over Nigel Farage’s declaration of a private jet trip to the Maldives, disputing claims that the journey cost as little as £25,000.
The trip, which was linked to an attempt to reach the Chagos Islands, was funded by Christopher Harborne, a major donor to Reform UK.
Farage initially recorded the two-day journey at £12,500 before revising the figure to £25,000 in the official register of interests.
However, Labour has argued that the declared amount appears significantly below market value. Anna Turley, chair of the Labour Party, said the cost of a comparable private jet charter would be far higher.
She wrote: “According to publicly available flight logs, this was an 11,000-mile round trip, lasting just over 23 hours, using a model of plane that is currently advertised on multiple private jet websites as costing at least $11,500 (£8,500) per hour to charter.”
Turley added that the valuation “bears no relation to the market rate for any other provider of the equivalent services available in the private jet charter industry.”
Labour has called on Farage to explain how the value of the flight was calculated, particularly given that the aircraft is reportedly linked to companies associated with Harborne.
Turley cited guidance from the Electoral Commission, which states: “If you receive goods or services free of charge … you must ensure these are valued at a comparable market rate … The guiding principle is that, in all cases, you should make an honest and reasonable assessment of the value of the goods or services you are receiving.”
The trip ultimately did not reach the Chagos Islands, as permission was not granted.
Farage has previously described the visit as a “humanitarian mission”, saying it aimed to highlight the situation of the Chagossian people, who were displaced from the islands decades ago and are seeking the right to return.
He has also criticised the UK government’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while continuing to lease the military base.
Neither Farage nor Reform UK has responded to the latest questions from Labour.
The issue adds to growing scrutiny over political donations and transparency, particularly where private travel and high-value contributions are involved.