Home · Politics · Sep 13 archive
Reform UK Faces Scrutiny Over £72m Crypto Donations, Rayner Warns
Confirmed
In Short: Angela Rayner, the Labour housing secretary, has warned that Reform UK could face action over two large donations from cryptocurrency billionaires.
The Labour Party has raised concerns about Reform UK, a party led by Nigel Farage, following two significant donations totaling £72 million from cryptocurrency billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne. Angela Rayner, the Labour housing secretary, has warned that these donations could face scrutiny under new laws being pushed through parliament, which will be backdated to cover all donations from March this year.
Reform UK has been raising substantial funds, with the party raising £37 million since the 2024 election, compared to £35 million before the large donations from Delo and Harborne. The Conservative Party has raised £37 million, the Liberal Democrats £17 million, and the Green Party £1.9 million. Rayner stated, "These two donations are entirely in line with the law as it is and, as far as we know, the law as it's going to be in the future," according to reports from the BBC.
The party is also facing scrutiny over its finances, as the government seeks to cap donations to UK political parties from British expats. In addition, the Metropolitan Police is investigating Reform UK after a Channel 4 broadcast showed key aides of Farage apparently attempting to raise illegal foreign donations. Reform UK has received a second £36 million donation in as many days, as Harborne matched a record-breaking donation announced late on Friday.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the donations from Harborne and Delo meant the party would "now be able to fight and win the next general election on a level playing field." However, questions have been raised about Harborne funding a protest over the Chagos Islands, which is also connected to Reform UK. The Liberal Democrats called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to cap donations, while the party's Cabinet Office spokeswoman, Lisa Smart, said there should be emergency legislation to cap campaign donations and spending.
What's confirmed
- The Labour Party has raised concerns about Reform UK, a party led by Nigel Farage, following two significant donations totaling £72 million from cryptocurrency billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne. Angela Rayner, the Labour housing secretary, has warned that these donations could face scrutiny under new laws being pushed through parliament, which will be backdated to cover all donations from March this year.
- Reform UK has been raising substantial funds, with the party raising £37 million since the 2024 election, compared to £35 million before the large donations from Delo and Harborne. The Conservative Party has raised £37 million, the Liberal Democrats £17 million, and the Green Party £1.9 million. Rayner stated, "These two donations are entirely in line with the law as it is and, as far as we know, the law as it's going to be in the future," according to reports from the BBC.
- The party is also facing scrutiny over its finances, as the government seeks to cap donations to UK political parties from British expats. In addition, the Metropolitan Police is investigating Reform UK after a Channel 4 broadcast showed key aides of Farage apparently attempting to raise illegal foreign donations. Reform UK has received a second £36 million donation in as many days, as Harborne matched a record-breaking donation announced late on Friday.
- Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the donations from Harborne and Delo meant the party would "now be able to fight and win the next general election on a level playing field." However, questions have been raised about Harborne funding a protest over the Chagos Islands, which is also connected to Reform UK. The Liberal Democrats called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to cap donations, while the party's Cabinet Office spokeswoman, Lisa Smart, said there should be emergency legislation to cap campaign donations and spending.
What's still developing
- Rayner, who also appeared on the programme, said the changes proposed by the government were "directly as a result" of a review by former top civil servant Philip Rycroft, external, published on 25 March.
- Who is Reform donor and crypto billionaire Ben Delo?
- Reform receives second £36m donation in two days as crypto investor matches record The measures were added to the Representation of the People Bill after they were approved by MPs this month.
- Reform’s Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said “we see no reason why we should return these donations” and described them as “a breakthrough moment for Reform, a huge vote of confidence in us as a party”.
- In reference to other parties rewarding their donors, Reform insisted they “want nothing” and will never be given a peerage, knighthood or a government contract for handing over cash.
- After it emerged that BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo had given the party £36 million, crypto investor Christopher Harborne said on Saturday that he was matching the donation, India Today reported.
- Reform said the £72m would be used to hire "the brightest and best minds to work on policy and the most comprehensive plan for government ever".
- Harborne wrote on Saturday that he had "already accumulated enough wealth for the rest of my life", while Reform was a "start-up party" that lacked "the benefit of hundreds of years of patronage".