Crypto Backers Fuel UK Party Funding Controversy

Reform UK, the new political party led by Nigel Farage, has received significant funding from two crypto billionaires in the last 48 hours. Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each donated £36 million to the party.

The donations have raised questions about the influence of big money on politics. Critics point out that Delo has only recently returned to live in the UK from Hong Kong, while Harborne is still based in Thailand, despite being registered to vote in Britain.

When questioned by BBC's Laura Kuenssberg about the donations, Reform's shadow Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick argued that they are not solely focused on crypto and have 'many different business interests'. However, Kuenssberg countered with a brutal reality check: 'One of them lives in Thailand.'

Jenrick dismissed concerns, stating that Delo and Harborne have lost faith in the Conservative and Labour parties and see Reform as the country's last hope. However, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner suggested that Reform may be forced to return some or all of the donations under a draft law capping foreign donations at £100,000, which would be backdated to March.