Farage’s Reform UK gets two £36m donations from crypto billionaires

Live updates

1. 2d ago

   Reform UK £72M Crypto Donations Trigger Crackdown Push

   Crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each gave thirty-six million pounds to Nigel Farage's Reform Party over the weekend, totaling seventy-two million pounds in new funding. The record haul has ignited intense debate over political finance regulations and potential limits on contributions tied to overseas interests. Labour faces scrutiny over its efforts to block the funds, while trade unions split over potential donation caps. Reform leader Nigel Farage rejected any retrospective ban on the contributions during a BBC interview, arguing that such a move cannot happen.

   Why it matters

   The massive influx of wealth into Reform UK has intensified political friction regarding the influence of super-rich donors in British elections. The TUC chief warned that such mega-donations corrupt the political system, drawing pushback from political opponents. Meanwhile, Labour faces difficult questions as critics analyze its push to alter political funding rules.

   What is confirmed

   • Crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each announced donations of thirty-six million pounds to Nigel Farage's Reform Party over the weekend.
   • Reform UK confirmed that Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each donated thirty-six million pounds.
   • Nigel Farage told the BBC that retrospectively declaring donations illegal simply cannot be.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Labour's crackdown on Reform donations represents a brazen effort to remove funding and save itself.
   • UK unions are split over a proposed party donations cap.

   What to watch next

   • Potential legislative changes to political donation rules and restrictions on overseas-linked contributions.
   • Further responses from Labour and trade unions regarding donation caps.
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. www.aol.co.uk — Pressure mounts for mega-donations crackdown after Reform's £72m haul from crypto billionaires
   2. www.ibtimes.co.uk — Who Are Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne? Crypto Billionaires Behind Reform UK's Record £72m Haul
   3. www.aol.com — Labour’s crackdown on Reform donations is a bid to save democracy – and itself
   4. www.bbc.com — No similarity between Reform's £72m donations and unions giving to Labour, says TUC boss
   5. www.theguardian.com — UK unions split over party donations cap as TUC chief says ‘super-rich’ corrupting politics
   confidence 100%
2. 2d ago

   Reform UK receives two crypto billionaire donations totaling 72 million pounds

   Reform UK has received two separate 36 million pound donations from cryptocurrency billionaires within two days. One donor, a crypto investor previously pardoned by Donald Trump, described the contribution as a philanthropic gift to the country. The combined 72 million pound influx has raised concerns regarding the influence of money in politics while potentially altering the party's electoral prospects. Total pledges since Friday have reached 97 million dollars according to some reports.

   Why it matters

   The scale of these contributions is described as gobsmacking and represents a record for the party. This financial surge occurs as political figures like Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch engage in red versus blue political dynamics.

   What is confirmed

   • Reform UK received two donations of 36 million pounds each within two days.
   • One of the donors is a crypto investor who received a pardon from Donald Trump.
   • The combined total of these two donations is 72 million pounds.
   • A donor characterized the payment as a philanthropic gift to the country.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Total pledges to Reform since Friday have reached 97 million dollars.
   • A second crypto billionaire donated 49 million dollars.

   What to watch next

   • Official disclosure of the donors identities
   • Regulatory reviews of the donation sources
   • Reform UK spending plans for the 72 million pound windfall
   Sources used for this update (10)

   1. reuters.com — Crypto investor pardoned by Trump donates £36 million to Farage's Reform UK
   2. BBC — Burnham and Badenoch revive red versus blue politics as Reform land 'gobsmacking' donation
   3. politico.eu — Farage’s Reform UK gets £36 Million from crypto billionaire
   4. The Telegraph — My donation to Reform is a philanthropic gift to our country
   5. BBC — Reform receives second £36m donation in two days as crypto investor matches record
   6. AP News — Crypto billionaires give $97 million to Reform UK, fueling concerns about money in politics
   7. The Guardian — Donations of £72m make Reform’s prospects both rosier and riskier
   8. Al Jazeera — Second crypto billionaire donates record $49m to far-right Reform UK
   9. www.aljazeera.com — Second crypto billionaire donates record $49m to far-right Reform UK
   10. www.dailymail.com — Katy Perry's cinema 'blockbuster' makes just £21,000 at UK box office
   confidence 90%