Reform UK says it is confident that £72m in donations from cryptocurrency billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne will not have to be repaid under proposed new rules on political funding.
The party’s economic spokesman, Robert Jenrick, told the BBC that both donations were lawful when they were made. He also said Reform believes the payments will remain compliant under the government’s planned changes.
The government wants to tighten rules governing donations from British citizens living overseas. Under the proposed legislation, donations from eligible British expats would be subject to a £100,000 limit. The measure would also apply retrospectively from 25 March.
Reform Defends £72m in Donations
Jenrick said the two £36m donations were fully legal under the current rules. He argued that the government could continue changing the legislation, but said Reform had no reason to believe the money would need to be returned.
The issue has become more complicated because both Delo and Harborne have spent periods living outside the UK. However, BBC News understands that both men have now returned to Britain.
Delo is believed to have returned last year. Jenrick said his return was partly intended to ensure he complied with the planned changes to political donation rules.
A Reform UK spokesman later said the party was completely confident that both donations were legal. The spokesman also said the money would not have to be handed back.
Government Plans Retrospective Donation Rules
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said the proposed restrictions would apply retrospectively. She told the BBC that people who failed to comply with the new rules could be required to return donations.
However, Rayner said she was not commenting specifically on Delo or Harborne. She said she did not know enough about their individual circumstances.
The government says the proposed changes follow recommendations from former senior civil servant Philip Rycroft. His review was published on 25 March.
The measures have been added to the Representation of the People Bill. MPs have already approved the proposals, although the legislation still needs to pass scrutiny in the House of Lords.
One person familiar with the government’s plans said the outcome for Delo and Harborne could depend on how ministers define UK residency. They said tax law could provide one possible model, but warned that residency rules can be complicated.
Political Parties Debate Donation Limits
At present, there is no overall limit on how much money a UK-based individual can donate to a political party.
The government has said it wants to address concerns about so-called mega-donors. It has also created a taskforce to examine how political donations should be regulated.
Rayner said the government wants to prevent wealthy individuals from gaining excessive influence over British democracy. However, she stopped short of confirming a general cap on donations.
Meanwhile, Conservative shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat backed stronger safeguards. He warned against the growing influence of large amounts of private money in politics.
Liberal Democrat spokeswoman Lisa Smart went further. She called for emergency legislation covering both political donations and campaign spending.
The Green Party also called for stronger controls. It said tighter limits were needed on donations from individuals.
Delo and Harborne Set UK Donation Record
Delo and Harborne each gave Reform UK £36m within two days. Their contributions now share the record for the largest individual donation ever made to a UK political party.
Jenrick rejected suggestions that the payments were intended to buy political influence. He said both donors simply supported Reform’s political agenda.
Both men had previously given millions to the party.
Harborne has spent significant time in Thailand and had reportedly registered to vote in the UK. Delo had previously said he was moving back to Britain from Hong Kong.
The two donors have also publicly explained their support for Reform. Harborne described the party as a political start-up without the long-established financial networks enjoyed by older parties.
Delo has similarly argued that his funding would help Reform compete more effectively at the next general election.
The £72m combined contribution is larger than the total amount received by all UK political parties during the previous year.
Reform Donations Face Further Scrutiny
Reform UK’s finances have attracted increased attention in recent months. Police recently announced an investigation following allegations concerning foreign funding rules raised in a Channel 4 News report.
Reform has denied wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, party leader Nigel Farage is facing a separate investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner. The inquiry concerns whether he should have declared a £5m gift from Harborne before the 2024 general election.
Farage has denied any wrongdoing.
For now, Reform maintains that the £72m donated by Delo and Harborne complies with the law. However, the final impact of the proposed legislation could depend on how Parliament approves the new rules and how ministers define residency.
