Reform UK gets record £9m donation from ex-Tory donor

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK have acquired its largest ever donation, with former Conservative donor Christopher Harborne handing the celebration £9m.

The donation – one of many largest in British political historical past – was made in August this yr, in keeping with filings from the Electoral Fee.

Mr Harborne, a British businessman primarily based in Thailand, beforehand donated tens of millions to Reform in 2019, when it was referred to as the Brexit Occasion, and has continued to offer the celebration and Mr Farage money.

Politics newest: Reform gets its largest ever donation

Between 2001 and 2022, he donated near £2m to the Conservatives, in keeping with Corporations Home.

The £9m handed to Reform UK on 1 August this yr is the most important political donation on document from a dwelling particular person, after Lord Sainsbury left £10m to the Conservatives in his will in 2023.

Educated within the UK, Mr Harbone is now primarily based in Thailand, the place he chairs the funding firm Sherriff International Group.

He additionally paid round £28,000 for Mr Farage to journey to the US for Donald Trump’s inauguration this yr, and roughly £33,000 for the Reform chief to go to the president after the failed assassination try within the run-up to the election.

Professor Justin Fisher of Brunel College, an knowledgeable in political donations, advised Sky Information: “It exposes the truth that it is a one that is a British citizen however is ready to affect British politics with out being topic to the legal guidelines that any Reform authorities may herald, any tax preparations {that a} Reform may herald.

“That is overseas cash by another title.”

The professor pointed to the truth that within the 2022 Election Act beneath the Conservatives, the legislation was modified in order that British residents may stay overseas their complete lives and keep on the electoral roll, permitting them to donate.

Beforehand, the cap had been set at 15 years of dwelling abroad.

He added that it was not shocking to see an individual with an curiosity in a selected coverage space – like cryptocurrencies – give cash to a political advocating for this trigger.

Based on the Electoral Fee, political events raised £24m within the third quarter of this yr – up from £10m over the identical time interval final yr, and £11m final quarter.

With the native and nationwide meeting elections developing in Could subsequent yr, events are constructing their warfare chests for the marketing campaign.

Reform reported taking a complete of £10,526,846, greater than the Tories (£7,038,861), Labour (£2,564,786), and the Lib Dems (£2,174,712).

This implies Mr Farage’s celebration raised nearly as a lot because the three essential events mixed (£11,778,359).

Whereas the Inexperienced Occasion has reported a rise in donations since Zack Polanski grew to become chief, these figures largely cowl the time earlier than he took workplace, with the celebration solely accepting £371,753.

Learn extra:
Tice denies Tory-Reform pact talks
New rules may stop unlimited donations to Reform UK

The truth that Reform have acquired massive volumes of money from a former Tory donor will do nothing to extinguish experiences that the 2 events are contemplating an electoral pact in time for the subsequent common election.

The Monetary Instances reported that such an settlement was spoken about by Mr Farage in a dialogue with celebration donors.