Reform UK receives £72m in crypto-linked funds

Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Nigel Farage, received £72 million from two cryptocurrency billionaires over the weekend, raising renewed concerns about the influence of money in British politics.

After it emerged that BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo had given the party £36 million, crypto investor Christopher Harborne said on Saturday that he was matching the donation, India Today reported.

The two donations are tied as the biggest ever made to a British political party. They come as Reform UK faces scrutiny over its fundraising, with London police this week opening an investigation into reports that the party may have broken laws banning donations from overseas donors. Established parties warned that unlimited donations from billionaire businessmen could corrupt elections, while the Liberal Democrats called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to cap donations.

Harborne said he was supporting Reform UK because he believes its policies would bring in the investment Britain needs to strengthen the economy and raise money for healthcare, education and other public services. Liberal Democrat spokesperson Lisa Smart said: "Nigel Farage wants to bring Trump's America to our shores by buying his way into power." She added: "He's trying to get into Number 10 as if it's a stop on a monopoly board."