A close associate of Nigel Farage has reportedly hired private investigators to examine the Conservative Party chairman, Kevin Hollinrake. Businessman Arron Banks is alleged to have instructed Precision Risk and Intelligence (PRI), a private investigations company he previously owned, to investigate Hollinrake.
This action is understood to have followed calls by the Conservative Party for an investigation into Farage himself concerning a £5 million donation. Banks has stated that he was aware of a "dirty tricks campaign" against Farage and Reform UK by Conservative HQ and Hollinrake since the local elections in May. He described the situation as a "hit-job" by political rivals and elements of the media seeking to "destroy Reform."
Hollinrake has been a leading voice in challenging Reform UK's financial disclosures, including those related to key Farage aide George Cottrell and party deputy leader Richard Tice. His correspondence with the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner reportedly triggered the investigation into the £5 million donation from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne.
In response, Hollinrake stated that the use of private investigators against journalists and political opponents is "sinister" and has no place in politics. He asserted that he was performing his job by asking "legitimate questions" and noted similar scrutiny applied to Labour figures.
A Conservative Party spokesperson questioned the authority under which Banks was acting and affirmed the party's commitment to challenging Farage's £5 million donation and undeclared gifts. The spokesperson called for Reform UK to clarify its knowledge of the investigation and condemn Banks' actions.
PRI, the private investigations firm, declined to comment. The company was dissolved after Brexit, but sources indicate that similar operatives continue to work on projects, particularly in high-value litigation. The firm has a reputation for aggressive tactics, with some sources claiming it has employed "honeytrap" stings against senior legal professionals.