Reform UK leader Nigel Farage won an unusual parliamentary by-election in Clacton-on-Sea early Friday, regaining the seat he vacated last month amid scrutiny over his financial affairs.
Farage secured 22,239 votes, or 62.82% of ballots cast, according to results reported by Sky News.
His closest challenger was satirical political candidate Count Binface, who received 9,455 votes, or 26.71%.
The contest attracted a record 34 candidates, while Britain’s major political parties opted not to field candidates. A total of 79,785 people were registered to vote across the constituency, which includes Clacton and the surrounding communities of Jaywick, Frinton and Walton-on-the-Naze.
Farage had resigned as Clacton’s MP last month before announcing that he would contest the resulting by-election himself, saying he wanted constituents to judge his conduct directly.
His decision followed scrutiny over his finances, including a reported £5 million ($6.7 million) gift from a cryptocurrency entrepreneur that he allegedly failed to declare. The matter became the subject of an investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog.
Farage has denied wrongdoing. In a video statement ahead of the election, the Reform UK leader said he wanted voters, rather than journalists, to judge his actions.
His decisive victory returns him to Parliament and allows him to continue representing Clacton while the scrutiny of his financial affairs continues.