Reform leader Nigel Farage recorded up to 2,000 fan videos over the past year, but spoke in parliament only 22 times.
A Mirror investigation reveals that the Brexit MP has made over £140,000 from selling personal messages on the US-based platform Cameo since December of last year. Last year he even got up before his family on Christmas morning to log on and send a message.
His speaking records show he stood up in Parliament on only 22 occasions during the same period, discussing topics such as grooming gangs, Ukraine, and migrant boat crossings. However, he has mentioned his constituents in Essex just three times. In contrast, he has spoken about the UK’s deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, and Donald Trump’s opposition to the move, on six occasions.
An analysis of figures from his Register of Interests suggests that, based on a charge of £71.75 per message, he filmed nearly 1,976 videos. This number may be lower, as he can charge up to £3,776 for business videos. The figures also show he has earned more than £1 million from secondary roles, in addition to his £91,346 MP salary. This includes £400,000 as a brand ambassador for Direct Bullion, a precious metals and gold dealer.
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During his time as an MP, he has faced criticism over his record of meeting constituents while traveling more than 3,500 miles to the USA for paid engagements. Residents of Clacton in Essex are “furious” about the Cameo revelations, claiming they have not seen Mr. Farage in the area since his election. Sarah Corner, 32, who voted Reform and for Nigel Farage in the 2024 election seeking “total change", now regrets her decision.
The part-time waitress said: “I thought Reform would make a difference. I felt that after so many years of the Conservatives, something had to change. Reform and Farage made a lot of noise and frankly, I thought, ‘Why not?’ I’ve not seen him once. I’ve seen things on social media after he’s been here, but not in person. It feels like he’s just cashing in. Clacton has huge issues.
"We’ve got deprivation, a job shortage, and oversubscribed schools and doctors. We don’t get a fair deal compared to the rest of Essex, and certainly not compared to London. I’ve not heard Farage speak about that. It’s all about migrants. I appreciate we’ve got a problem with migration in Britain. But Clacton needs attention. He’s like the rest, lining his pockets to suit his own agenda.”
Mr. Farage’s Cameo messages include inside jokes for people’s birthdays, but he has used the phrase "Brexit means Brexit" in his videos. In one message, he tells a customer: "It has come to my attention that you have no rizz and have been acting very skibidi lately."
On Mr. Farage’s Cameo Business profile, he states: "They call me Mr. Brexit... some people say I am controversial, and I couldn’t care less." His other Cameo account, offering personal messages, states: "Nigel Farage’s Cameo videos offer fans a unique opportunity to receive personalized messages from the former UK politician and Brexit leader.
"Customers can request messages for a variety of occasions, from birthdays and retirements to roasts and motivational pep talks. Nigel is often asked to reference his political views on Brexit, immigration, and the Reform UK party, as well as mention specific TV shows, sports teams, and even silly inside jokes. His videos provide an entertaining and lighthearted way for fans to connect with him and his signature straight-talking, anti-establishment style."
In October 2021, Mr. Farage read a greeting supporting the IRA, raising his drink and saying "up the RA" in a clip sent to Brian Ó Céileachair after his friend Aidan Hart paid £73 for a congratulatory birthday greeting. Mr. Farage was elected in July last year but said he would not be holding face-to-face sessions in his constituency over fears the public will "flow through doors with knives in their pockets".
He told radio station LBC he had been advised not to accommodate the "old-style" physical meetings between MPs and constituents. Mr. Farage said: "Do I have an office in Clacton? Yes. Am I allowing the public to flow through the door with their knives in their pockets? No, no I’m not."
When asked why Clacton residents would flow through the door with knives in their pockets, he said: "Well, they did in Southend. They murdered David Amess and he was a far less controversial figure than me." Conservative politician Sir David was fatally stabbed during a session in his Southend West constituency in 2021 by an Islamic State-supporting terrorist.
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However, by September it emerged that the Speaker’s Office has "no record" of advising Mr. Farage not to hold in-person sessions. The following month in October, he was forced into a U-turn when asked, “Which one of you is lying” – in reference to the conflicting claims – Mr. Farage responded: “The speaker’s office is always right.”
A spokesman for Nigel Farage said: “Nigel Farage has voted more times in the House of Commons since the last general election than Kemi and Keir combined. Nigel was in Clacton this weekend meeting local businesses, voters, and pub owners. All voters of Clacton will judge Nigel’s performance in the next election, not Daily Mirror reporters with an agenda.”
Plumber David Adcock, 57, said he voted for Farage but had not seen him once. Mr. Adcock, who has lived in Clacton all his life, said: "I’d give him the benefit of the doubt over a bit of extra work. As long as it doesn’t take up too much time and he’s working hard here. But I’ve not seen him once. If he wants to be a millionaire, good luck to him. Do what you want.
"But don’t take our money to be the local MP. That should come first. It’s a gravy train for him. I love Clacton, but it’s in a mess. We’ve been forgotten for 30 years. Farage got elected on a promise of change and that we’d be stood up for. But he’s too busy showing off and making money.”
Margaret Corner, 77, a retired shoe fitter, said she was “angry” but “not surprised” at our revelations. She said: “I’ve voted Labour all my life. I could see straight through him and always have. I told my friends he won’t represent us. This shows that. It makes me angry. We’ve been used. But I’m not surprised.”
Taxi driver Martin Jeeves, 56, said the Cameo figures were “insulting”. He said: "He was never going to be here all day, every day. But I’ve not seen him once. He’s always on television talking about things that have nothing to do with Clacton. I voted for him, and I wish I hadn’t. I was fed up with the other parties but I think he’s been worse. He’s taking the mick. I wish I could earn all that money posting video messages.”
Retired Ray Edwards, 76, said Farage should “quit now”. He said: “This town hasn’t improved for years and since the election, it’s not gotten better. I’ve seen him once but didn’t get a chance to speak to him. He must have an incredibly expensive lifestyle. That’s not what people around here are earning. They’re having to do 12 and 14-hour days as well.”
Last week, Mr. Farage was accused by award-winning movie director Peter Ettedgui of making anti-Semitic remarks at school. The Brexit MP allegedly said “Hitler was right” and “gas them” while making “hissing noises.” But the Clacton party chief dismissed the allegations, saying “banter” in the schoolyard can look different “in the modern light of day.”
In September, the Mirror revealed Mr. Farage’s slippery tax affairs over the purchase of a property in Clacton. Despite Mr. Farage announcing last year he bought a house in his constituency, it was his partner, Laure Ferrari, 46, who paid nearly £900,000 for the plush home. As her sole property, she would be liable for nearly £32,000 in stamp duty, according to HMRC’s online calculator. If Mr. Farage had bought it himself, it would have cost him at least £75,000 as second-home duty – saving £44,000.
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