Crypto billionaires pledge $97m to Reform UK amid police investigation

Christopher Harborne has reportedly donated $48.7m (£36m) to Reform UK, matching a contribution from fellow cryptocurrency investor Ben Delo the previous day. The two payments bring money pledged to the party since Friday to about $97m.

Harborne, a Thailand-based cryptocurrency investor, described the contribution as a “philanthropic gift” in the Daily Telegraph and said he was inspired to match Delo’s donation. Delo, 42, co-founded the cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX.

The contributions come as Reform faces scrutiny over its finances. The Metropolitan Police has confirmed a criminal investigation into whether the party accepted illegal foreign donations. The investigation does not establish that either recent contribution was unlawful.

Reform leader Nigel Farage welcomed the donations, saying the donors wanted a government that would “fix Britain”. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the party, arguing that money could not buy “judgement or integrity”.

Reform, which succeeded Farage’s Brexit Party after it changed its name in 2021, presents itself as an alternative to the Conservatives and Labour. Al Jazeera reported that both donors view their contributions as a way to make British politics fairer, while the precise legal and financial status of the reported donations remains to be verified.