Crypto Billionaire Donates Record £36 Million to Reform UK Amid Funding Investigation

Ben Delo, a convicted criminal and crypto billionaire, has donated £36 million to Reform UK, making it the largest donation in British political history. This comes after the police launched an investigation into the party's funding, specifically looking into £500,000 given by Fiona Cottrell, mother of George Cottrell, a long-standing ally of Nigel Farage.

The Metropolitan Police is also investigating allegations that Reform breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company. According to reports, Reform took £32,500 from a US firm for three polls it commissioned earlier this year. Farage is facing a parliamentary investigation into a £5 million gift he received from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne.

Delo wrote in The Telegraph that he wants Reform to 'spend less time trying to raise funds' and more on preparing for government, citing his desire for a 'fair fight and a level playing field'. Farage responded by saying he is 'humbled' by Delo's confidence in Reform and believes the party can turn the country around.

However, Professor John Curtice told the BBC that Delo's donation does not guarantee political success for Reform, as the party's recent troubles may sway voters away. He also noted that other parties could highlight that the donation is another example of Reform relying on 'dodgy forms of finance' due to Delo's previous conviction.

Reform UK has denied any wrongdoing and will cooperate fully with the investigation, stating they will not comment further while it is ongoing.