Reform UK has received its second £36m donation in just two days as another cryptocurrency billionaire shows his support for Nigel Farage’s party.
Thai-based crypto businessman Christopher Harborne, the party’s biggest donor to date, matched the record £36m donation given on Friday by fellow cryptocurrency tycoon Ben Delo which was confirmed just 24 hours before.
Reacting to the news, Mr Farage said he was honoured and humbled that the pair had “shown such confidence in Reform”.
He added: “Both men know that we are the only party that can turn the country around and win the next general election – thanks to their generosity, we are now able to fight that election on a level playing field.”
Mr Harborne said: “There will be a lot of media speculation regarding this donation. So what do I expect in return for my donations? Nothing. No peerage, no policy change, just a Party that is ready for government.
“I have already accumulated enough wealth for the rest of my life. I am committed to put putting that to work for Britain and humanity as a whole. I want the same as everyone else in Britain: for my children and grandchildren to have the chance to live happy and productive lives here and be rewarded for their hard work.
“At the next general election people will have to vote for the party that they think will best get that done and I’m making a donation very clearly to the Party that I believe will do so.”
The donations follow pledges by Mr Farage to liberalise the crypto currency market in the UK and his decision to invest personally in the Tether bitcoin.
Sources have suggested that Reform is planning a major overhaul of its operation and will need the cash to fund an injection of new blood after Mr Farage and the party have been under siege over accusations regarding donations.
Mr Farage is currently being investigated by the Standards Commissioner in parliament over an undeclared donation from Mr Harborne of £5 million. The Reform UK leader received the money before becoming an MP but insisted it was personal and not political to allow him to have security for the rest of his life.
The Metropolitan Police have also launched an investigation into Reform following revelations on Channel 4 which saw two of Mr Farage’s top aides chief of staff Dan Jukes and policy director James Orr – quit for allegedly being willing to accept an illegal foreign donation.
Questions have also been asked about deputy leader Richard Tice who is under investigation from the standards commissioner over an all expenses trip to Israel.
Reform has insisted that the mega donations only “level the playing field” when competing with other major parties and do not give them an advantage.
Quoting Electoral Commission figures they claimed that donations the Tories have raised since 2021 amounted to £150 million, and Labour £128 million.