Farage Defends Record Donations Amid Standards Probe
Reform UK leader calls £72 million influx 'impressive,' faces ruling on separate £5 million gift.
Nigel Farage has asserted that a record £72 million donation to Reform UK from two crypto-billionaires, Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne, has "impressed people and earned me grudging respect." Each businessman reportedly contributed £36 million, a sum that triggered significant political discussion and calls for stricter campaign finance regulations.
The party maintains that these donations comply with existing rules and proposed legislation that would affect funds from donors based abroad for their initial 12 months back in the UK. Delo and Harborne are reported to have been residing in Hong Kong and Thailand, respectively, but are said to have returned to Britain.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Farage expressed surprise that criticism had not been more severe. "The fact that I managed to pull off a coup of that magnitude, I think people were quite impressed," he stated, speaking from a helicopter after a Reform rally.
This defense comes as Farage awaits a ruling from the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner regarding a separate £5 million gift he received from Christopher Harborne in the months leading up to his election as the MP for Clacton in 2024. Sources suggest the inquiry has concluded, with an expectation that the ruling will find Farage should have publicly declared the gift.
Such a finding could lead to a suspension from the House of Commons and potentially trigger a by-election. However, Reform supporters might react strongly, given Farage's explanation that the £5 million was intended for his personal security due to receiving approximately 300 threats per month. The urgency of security concerns was underscored Friday when the alleged killer of former MP Ann Widdecombe was charged with preparing terror acts against Farage.
Farage has previously argued he had no obligation to declare the early 2024 gift, as it was specifically for personal protection to ensure his lifelong safety. He confirmed receipt of the funds in April. The complaint to the standards commissioner reportedly arose after both Labour and the Conservative parties noted that the MPs' code of conduct requires new MPs to register all current financial interests and benefits received within 12 months of their election. Farage told The Sunday Times that he was interviewed by Commissioner Daniel Greenberg in September.