Farage says £72m donations are compliant 'with the law today'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage asserted that two £36 million contributions to his party from businessmen Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne are “100 % compliant with the law today.” The donations, the largest ever recorded in British political history, were made by the pair—both British citizens who have recently lived abroad—just as Parliament debates a new cap on overseas donations. Farage declined to confirm whether the donors were resident in the UK by the 25 March 2026 deadline that would trigger the proposed £100,000 annual limit, but maintained that, under current rules, the gifts are lawful. He warned that any retrospective ban on such contributions would provoke a retaliatory response, potentially restricting trade‑union donations if his party were to form government.

The government’s Representation of the People Bill, debated in the House of Lords, seeks to curb foreign influence by limiting donations from British expatriates to £100,000 per year and imposing a one‑year waiting period for those who return to the UK before they can give more than that amount. The legislation was prompted by a report from former senior civil servant Sir Philip Rycroft, which highlighted concerns about overseas money shaping British politics. Education Minister Georgia Gould expressed “real worry” about large foreign donations, and Sir Philip suggested that a broader cap on all donations—whether from domestic or overseas sources—might be warranted. He noted that retroactive rule changes would be controversial but inevitable if donors rush to exploit the existing loophole before new limits take effect.

Farage argued that the influx of £72 million will allow Reform to “catch up with the other big parties” and professionalise its operations, contrasting the party’s funding with Labour’s £43 million received from trade unions since 2020. Trade‑union leaders, including TUC general secretary Paul Nowak and Unite head Sharon Graham, condemned the gifts as a “crisis for democracy” and called for stricter caps on domestic donations. Conservative shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat warned against an “Americanisation of politics” where money runs free. Farage dismissed claims that the donors would seek policy influence or honours, noting they had reviewed Reform’s cryptocurrency paper and would not benefit from any regulatory changes the party proposes. The debate continues as Parliament weighs the balance between free political funding and safeguarding democratic integrity.

⚡ Effects Interpreter