See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy GLEN OWEN POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 12:34 BST, 12 September 2026 | Updated: 12:44 BST, 12 September 2026
Nigel Farage is today celebrating an astonishing £72million windfall after receiving two donations of £36million in the space of 24 hours.Mr Farage's Reform UK announced on Friday evening that it had received the first £36million donation — the largest in British political history — from cryptocurrency billionaire Ben Delo.Now the Mail can reveal that Mr Delo's donation has been matched by another billionaire Reform backer, Christopher Harborne.It takes the total amount raised by Reform this year close to £90 million, compared with just over £10million for the Tories and £8million for Labour.It is understood that the £72million will be spent trying to more closely replicate the office 'infrastructure' of the established parties, including appointing campaign managers in all target constituencies, competing for the best strategists and policy experts and setting up an 'attack unit' to target rivals.Party sources said that the unprecedented injection of funds meant that Reform could 'stop worrying about fundraising and step up preparations for Government'. It comes amid speculation that Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering calling an early general election - something he might think twice about if Mr Farage is able quickly to ramp-up his political firepower.Mr Harborne, a former Tory donor who has previously donated a total £15million to Reform, is at the centre of an investigation by the parliamentary commissioner for standards into whether Mr Farage should have declared a £5million personal gift from him. The Mail can reveal that Ben Delo's £36million donation has been matched by another billionaire Reform backer, Christopher Harborne (pictured in 2022) It takes the total amount raised by Reform this year close to £90million, compared with just over £10million for the Tories and £8million for Labour. Pictured: Nigel Farage at Reform UK annual conference on September 5 Mr Delo (pictured), the co-founder of BitMex, a cryptocurrency trading platform, said that he had given the £36million because he wanted to ensure a 'fair fight' at the next electionJoin the discussionShould wealthy donors be allowed to shape political parties and influence elections with huge gifts?What's your view?Mr Harborne said: 'There will be a lot of media speculation regarding this donation. So what do I expect in return for my donations? Nothing. No peerage, no policy change, just a Party that is ready for government.'I have already accumulated enough wealth for the rest of my life. I am committed to putting that to work for Britain and humanity as a whole. 'I want the same as everyone else in Britain: for my children and grandchildren to have the chance to live happy and productive lives here and be rewarded for their hard work.'At the next General Election people will have to vote for the Party that they think will best get that done and I'm making a donation very clearly to the Party that I believe will do so.'Mr Farage said he was 'honoured' and 'humbled' that Mr Delo and Mr Harborne have 'shown such confidence in Reform'.He said: 'Both men know that we are the only party that can turn the country around and win the next General Election - thanks to their generosity, we are now able to fight that election on a level playing field.'Mr Delo, the co-founder of BitMex, a cryptocurrency trading platform, said that he had given the £36million - in addition to £4million donated earlier this year - because he wanted to ensure a 'fair fight' at the next election against the 'entrenched advantages' of Reform's opponents.Mr Delo, 42, announced he was moving back to the UK this year after Labour announced plans to cap donations from British citizens living abroad.Mr Delo said: 'Unlike the people who express mock concern for the health of 'our democracy' while doing everything they can to keep it as a cartel, I want a fair fight and a level playing field'.Reform deputy leader Richard Tice said following Mr Delo's donation: 'Thank you Ben for helping us employ the best people. 'We will build the most professional campaign and policy platform. We must win to save Britain and make Britain amazing again.'The Metropolitan Police announced last week that it was launching a criminal inquiry into claims that senior figures in the party breached legal donation rules, after a sting by undercover reporters was broadcast by Channel 4.A Labour Party spokesperson said: 'Reform UK can't buy their way out of questions about sleaze, criminal mates and dodgy finances. 'It's time Farage and Reform finally came clean with the public, co-operated fully with the police, and proved they're not just in it for themselves.'
