Reform UK’s £72m crypto tycoon donors could face enhanced residency checks

Reform UK’s crypto-billionaire donors could face enhanced checks to prove their ongoing presence in the UK as the government considers tightening proposed laws after the party received £72 million over the weekend.

Ministers have already moved to introduce a £100,000 cap on the amount of money that can be given to political parties by British citizens based overseas, which would also apply for the first 12 months after any expats return to the UK.

The changes would be backdated to this March, raising questions about whether Reform can keep the twin £36 million donations from Ben Delo, who was based in Hong Kong, and Christopher Harborne, who was based in Thailand.

But amid reports both men have already returned to the country, ministers are looking at how to toughen residency requirements governing political donations.

In a parliamentary debate as part of the second reading of the Government’s Representation of the People Bill in the Lords on Monday, minister Baroness Taylor said: “In addition to introducing a robust regime that ensures donors contributing above the £100,000 annual cap must demonstrate a genuine and ongoing connection to the United Kingdom, we are considering how we will strengthen the residency requirements including ensuring the length of time spent in the UK aligns with broader government policy.”