Reform UK Receives Record £36m Donation From Crypto Billionaire

LONDON, September 12, 2026: Reform UK has secured a £36 million donation from British cryptocurrency billionaire Ben Delo.

Delo said he made the donation because he wanted a “fair fight and a level playing field” in British politics.

Reform leader Nigel Farage described the donation as a major boost and said he was “honoured and humbled” by the contribution.

Delo Wants to Support Reform

Delo said he had planned to donate £1 million every month until the latest possible date for a general election in 2029.

However, he decided to provide the full amount immediately. He said the move would protect the donation from possible future restrictions on large political contributions.

There is currently no legal limit on donations from UK-based individuals to political parties.

Delo, who was born in Sheffield, has already donated £4 million to Reform. He has also said he plans to return to the UK from Hong Kong while continuing to support the party.

Reform Faces Funding Scrutiny

The record donation comes as Reform UK faces growing scrutiny over its fundraising activities.

Police announced an investigation into alleged breaches of foreign funding rules after Channel 4 News broadcast undercover footage involving senior Reform officials.

The party has denied wrongdoing and said it will cooperate with the investigation.

Farage also faces a parliamentary standards investigation over whether he should have declared a £5 million cash gift from Thailand-based cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne before the 2024 general election.

Farage has said the gift was a private matter and was not connected to his parliamentary or political activities.

Government Plans Donation Restrictions

The government is seeking tighter rules on political donations from British citizens living overseas.

Labour has previously introduced a £100,000 limit on donations from British citizens living abroad. Ministers also want to extend restrictions to people who have recently returned to the UK.

The proposed changes have triggered a dispute with Reform and its major donors.

Reform supporters have accused the government of trying to restrict the party’s political growth. The government has rejected such criticism and said British democracy should not be controlled by large donations.

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Record Donation Overshadows Earlier Gift

Delo’s £36 million contribution eclipses previous records for individual donations to British political parties.

Last year, crypto investor Christopher Harborne donated £9 million to Reform. That contribution had been the largest single donation by a living individual to a UK political party at the time.

The Conservatives had also received a £10 million legacy donation, but Delo’s latest contribution is significantly larger.

Labour and Liberal Democrats Attack Reform

Labour criticised Farage following the announcement.

A Labour spokesperson said the Reform leader remained under scrutiny over financial and political controversies. The party also called on Reform to cooperate fully with police investigations.

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart also criticised the donation.

She accused Farage of attempting to “buy” political power and called for a cap on political donations.

The record contribution is likely to intensify the debate over political funding, foreign donations and the influence of wealthy individuals on British elections.