Reform UK's £72m Crypto Donations Under Threat

Reform UK's massive £72m fundraising haul from cryptocurrency billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne may be in jeopardy due to new retrospective donation rules being pushed through parliament by the government.

The donations, which were made within 24 hours of each other and represent the largest individual donations ever made to a British political party, could be clawed back under the Representation of the People Bill, which would cap donations from British citizens living overseas at £100,000 per year.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner warned that the new rules would be backdated to March, raising the prospect that Reform's fundraising bonanza could face legal challenge. Delo recently returned to Britain after a period living in Hong Kong, while Harborne has been based in Thailand for decades and holds Thai citizenship.

Reform UK says it has 'no reason' to return the money, with its Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick insisting that both donations were lawful under current rules and forthcoming legislation. However, Transparency International UK has said the two Reform donations have made an 'irrefutable case' for restrictions on domestic political donations.