Ben Delo gives Reform UK a record £36 million boost amid funding probe
Crypto founder Ben Delo has donated £36 million to Reform UK, the largest party contribution on record, as police investigate alleged illegal foreign funding.
Reform UK announced that cryptocurrency trader Ben Delo has provided a £36 million donation, the largest ever made to a British political party. Delo, the founder of BitMex and a former US-convicted offender who was later pardoned by Donald Trump, said the funds will be delivered as £1 million per month through the 2029 general election. The party, led by Nigel Farage, described the gift as a sign of confidence and a means to prepare for government.
The donation comes as the Metropolitan Police investigate whether Reform breached rules on illegal foreign funding, following a Channel 4 undercover report. Delo also referenced previous contributions totalling £8 million this year and highlighted the need for a “fair fight” in politics. Deputy leader Richard Tice thanked Delo for enabling the hiring of top staff, while former candidate Matt Goodwin called the donor a “patriot, hero and legend.”
Why it matters
The unprecedented donation could reshape Reform UK's election prospects while raising questions about political financing and legal compliance.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage ties the record donation to a police funding probe, centre coverage presents the gift as a neutral record-size contribution motivated by a “fair fight”, while right-leaning coverage stresses the donation’s size relative to other parties and highlights ongoing investigations.
LEFT
Frames the donation as controversial, foregrounding the Metropolitan Police probe into illegal foreign funding.
CENTER
Frames the donation as a historic, neutral contribution motivated by a desire for a level playing field.
RIGHT
Frames the donation as a massive financial boost that dwarfs rivals and notes the party’s scrutiny by authorities.
The left emphasises
- record £36 million donation
- Metropolitan Police investigation into possible illegal foreign funding
- donor’s claim of wanting a “fair fight” in politics
The right emphasises
- record £36 million donation puts Reform’s cash reserves about five times the Conservatives’ and six times Labour’s
- donor’s aim to ensure a “fair fight”
- party under investigation by Scotland Yard and referenced Channel 4 undercover sting
How this story developed
- Sep 1 Reform UK’s quarterly funding dominated by crypto donor pardoned by Trump
- Sep 3 Labour moved to refer Reform UK to police over the alleged foreign‑donation breach.
- Sep 4 Metropolitan Police began assessing the allegations.
- Sep 4 Farage called the allegations "loose pub talk" as Reform UK opened an internal inquiry and other parties referred the case to police.
- Sep 4 Addressing the conference hall, the Reform leader said “that poor young girl, she looked like she was going to do herself an injury”, before adding “boring, boring, boring”.
- Sep 5 James Orr and Dan Jukes were permanently suspended from their positions after the undercover footage was broadcast.
- Sep 6 Dan Jukes and James Orr resigned pending an internal investigation.
- Sep 11 Police have indicated Farage will likely be interviewed.
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