- The government will table amendments to legislation in the House of Lords that could put the legality of Reform's £72m donations in doubt, with retrospective restrictions on political donors including tough new residency requirements.
- Nigel Farage insisted the donations are 100% compliant with the law today, and when asked if the two billionaires were UK residents as of 25 March, he said they are both compliant with the law as it stands.
- Under the proposals, individual donors must prove their ongoing physical presence in the UK, aligning with residence requirements in other policy areas such as tax status.
- Labour minister in the Lords, Sharon Taylor, said the government is considering strengthening residency requirements, including ensuring the length of time spent in the UK aligns with broader government policy.
- Angela Rayner criticised Reform for comparing donations from cryptocurrency billionaires to trade union members' contributions, calling it an attempt by “offshore billionaires” to buy democracy.
- Trade unions are set to issue a statement condemning Farage's comparisons and urging the government to go further on political donations. Paul Nowak said the government must act to “stop the super-rich corrupting our politics”.
- The legislation currently restricts donations from expats to £100,000, and would apply for the first 12 months after their return, backdated to 25 March this year. Ministers have added a minimum residency requirement, meaning Reform may not accept the £72m until January 2028.
The UK government is set to introduce retrospective restrictions on political donations, targeting Reform UK's £72 million contributions from billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne.12
The proposed amendments, expected to be tabled in the House of Lords, will require donors to prove their ongoing physical presence in the UK, aligning with existing residency requirements for tax status.5
Ministers have already implemented a minimum residency requirement that could delay Reform's acceptance of these donations until January 2028.1314
Nigel Farage has defended the donations, stating, “Both these donations are 100% compliant with the law today, of that there is no question whatsoever.”34
However, critics, including Labour minister Sharon Taylor, argue that the government is considering further restrictions to ensure donors demonstrate a genuine connection to the UK.67
The legislation currently limits donations from expatriates to £100,000, which will also apply for the first 12 months after their return to the UK, backdated to March 25 this year.
Angela Rayner, speaking at the TUC, criticized Reform's comparison of its donations to union contributions, stating, “How dare they try to compare money from a couple of crypto billionaires to union members’ subs?”
Trade unions are expected to issue a statement condemning attempts to equate wealthy individual donors with union members, urging the government to take stronger action against political funding from the super-rich.
The government has also initiated a cross-government team to address threats to UK democracy, including political finance and influence.
“The proposed amendments would require donors to prove ongoing physical presence in the UK, with donations from expats capped at £100,000 for the first 12 months after return, backdated to 25 March. Angela Rayner slammed the donations as 'offshore billionaires trying to buy our democracy' at the TUC.”
theguardian.com
