COUNT Binface claimed victory against Nigel Farage today after the polls opened in the Clacton by-election.

The satirical candidate said getting re-elected as MP would not save the Reform UK leader from a Commons standards probe.

In a post on X, the “galactic centrist” produced a flow chart also claiming victory over the far-right populist, should Mr Farage fail to get more votes than in the general election 2024 or a greater majority.

Analysis by Politico meanwhile suggested Mr Farage and his party spent more than £10,000 on social media political adverts to prevent being humiliated by a bin.

The Reform leader quit as an MP to trigger the by-election in protest against media and parliamentary scrutiny of donations from his backers.

He was being investigated by the parliamentary standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg over a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne, which he received before taking his seat in the Commons.

Under Commons rules, new MPs are required to register any gifts worth more than £300 they received in the previous 12 months, except where the gift “could not be reasonably thought by others” to relate to their political activities.

That investigation was paused when Mr Farage resigned his seat but will resume if he wins the by-election, as bookmakers have made him the firm favourite to do.

Mr Farage could also face an investigation over support provided by George Cottrell, a long-term ally.

Mr Cottrell reportedly recruited and paid three staff to work on Mr Farage’s social media before the general election and has continued to allow him to use a five-storey Georgian property he rented near Buckingham Palace.

A spokesman for Momentum said: “Nigel Farage is an opportunist bankrolled by wealthy donors who has brought division and hatred to British politics.”

Mr Farage is expected to be announced the winner of the highly unusual contest today.

The Reform leader initially said he wanted it to be a “people versus the Establishment” showdown, but the main Westminster parties boycotted the by-election, dismissing it as a stunt.

A record 34 candidates stood in the contest, which is estimated to have cost taxpayers around £250,000.

The resulting 90cm-long ballot paper caused logistical problems for Tendring District Council, including requiring larger tables than usual at the count.