Labour's retroactive donation cap may clash with UK human rights law, warns ex-attorney general
A former attorney general warns that Labour's plan to retroactively limit large foreign donations could breach the European Convention on Human Rights and the UK's Human Rights Act.
Labour is set to introduce legislation that would retroactively apply a £100,000 annual cap on political donations from British citizens residing overseas, targeting two recent £36 million contributions to Reform from crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne. The measures, confirmed by Downing Street and slated to take effect from 25 March, also propose a new residency requirement, though details remain vague.
Former attorney general Sir Michael Ellis cautioned that applying the rules retroactively could breach the European Convention on Human Rights and the UK's Human Rights Act, arguing that it undermines natural justice. Nigel Farage maintains the donations are fully legal under current law, while Reform has already begun using the funds for recruitment and a planned TV channel. Reform spokesperson Zia Yusuf accused Labour of crafting retroactive legislation to financially cripple a political rival, warning that such moves erode predictable legal standards.
Why it matters
The dispute could reshape UK political funding rules and test the limits of retroactive legislation under human-rights law.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Richard Tice condemns Chinese imports while Reform UK merch made in China is on sale
- Sep 4 National Rally leader Jordan Bardella delivered an English speech at Reform UK’s gathering, emphasizing tighter ties with the British party and joint immigration control.
- Sep 4 Reform UK invited Bardella to speak at its Birmingham conference.
- Sep 6 West Midlands Police have issued a call for the protester to come forward to assist their inquiry.
- Sep 7 The memorandum was signed, moving the idea from conference discussion to a formal agreement.
- Sep 11 Crypto founder Ben Delo has donated £36 million to Reform UK, the largest party contribution on record, as police investigate alleged illegal foreign funding.
- Sep 12 The donation was announced as a record contribution while a police probe into foreign funding continues.
- Sep 12 Christopher Harborne announced a further large gift to Reform UK.
- Sep 13 Reform UK received two £36 million crypto donations, totalling £72 million.
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