Key facts
- Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice declined to state when donors Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne returned to the UK.
- Delo and Harborne gave a combined £72 million to Reform UK.
- A proposed bill would limit donations from British citizens living overseas to £100,000.
- Under the proposed bill, individuals must have been UK-resident for at least a full year to be considered domestic donors.
- Tice expressed confidence that Reform UK has complied with all current and proposed donation laws.
- Schools minister Georgia Gould stated the retrospective nature of the bill is to prevent a rush of donations before legislation takes effect.
Reform UK's deputy leader, Richard Tice, has refused to provide details on the UK residency status of two major donors, Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne, who contributed a combined £72 million to the party. This information is critical as proposed legislation aims to limit donations from British citizens living abroad.
Sir Philip Rycroft, who led a review into overseas influence on UK politics, explained that under the forthcoming Representation of the People Bill, individuals must have been UK-resident for at least a full calendar year to be considered domestic donors. This cap on overseas-based British donors is intended to ensure fairness and limit the influence of those who have chosen to base their wealth and tax affairs abroad.
Tice stated that while he was confident Reform UK had complied with all existing and proposed laws, he could not confirm when Delo, who has returned from Hong Kong, or Harborne, who lives in Thailand, had spent time in the UK. He described the retrospective nature of the bill as an action by a "socialist government" seeking to reduce competition.
Schools minister Georgia Gould defended the bill's retrospective application, arguing it was necessary to prevent a surge of donations before the legislation is enacted. She emphasized that the bill was based on an independent report addressing concerns about foreign interference in politics.