Keir Starmer has challenged Nigel Farage to address the questions surrounding the £5 million personal donation he received from Christopher Harborne, a cryptocurrency billionaire based in Thailand. This donation, first disclosed by the Guardian, was made to Farage in the lead-up to the 2024 general election, during which he ran for a parliamentary seat. The matter is currently being examined by the parliamentary standards commissioner.
During Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer criticized the leader of Reform UK, highlighting that the “£5 million question still remains unanswered.” He inquired, “Why is the leader of Reform avoiding inquiries about his donation, and why was it kept confidential initially?”
Farage has altered his narrative regarding the purpose of this financial gift. Initially, he claimed it was intended to fund his personal security for life. However, when faced with scrutiny, he shifted his explanation, stating that he viewed it as a reward from Harborne for his Brexit campaigning efforts. He maintains that there was no obligation to disclose this gift to the authorities since he was not an MP at the time of its receipt.
The standards commissioner is looking into whether this donation should have been registered, as any funds related to an MP’s political activities must be declared up to one year prior to taking office. The existing guidelines suggest, “If there is any uncertainty, the benefit should be registered.”
Starmer’s comments came in response to a query from Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage, who asked the Prime Minister if he would consider implementing a limit on political donations. This suggestion has gained momentum following revelations that Harborne has contributed unprecedented sums to Reform UK, totaling over £12 million in the past year.
Additionally, another cryptocurrency investor, Ben Delo, has reportedly donated £4 million to the party, a figure anticipated to be confirmed in data released by the Electoral Commission on Thursday. While Starmer did not endorse the idea of capping substantial donations, he affirmed that the government “will take all necessary actions to safeguard our democracy from foreign interference and illicit funding.” He also emphasized the government’s decision to impose a moratorium on cryptocurrency donations and limit contributions from foreign donors.
This situation may restrict Harborne’s ability to make further donations unless he moves to the UK, while Delo is expected to return to the UK from Hong Kong to continue supporting Reform UK financially.
Farage has faced significant scrutiny over the £5 million donation and has reduced his media appearances and press conferences since the news broke. A recent report from Sky News indicated that he purchased a detached property in Surrey for £1.4 million shortly after receiving the donation from Harborne. Farage contends that the offer for the house was made well before the donation and that it was financed through his personal earnings.
