Farage says £72m donations are compliant 'with the law today'
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is defending two £36m donations to his party, asserting they were legal at the time they were received. The government is currently debating a cap on donations from British expats, which Farage argues should not be applied retrospectively.
Why it matters
The debate highlights tensions over political funding transparency and the potential for legislative changes to impact party finances and election fairness.
By Kate Whannel Politics reporter Published 38 minutes ago Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said two big donations given to his party are "100% compliant with the law today", but was not able say whether they would be permissible if a rule change, currently being debated in Parliament, were passed.
Ministers are seeking to put a £100,000 annual cap on donations from British expats, backdated to 25 March 2026.
Farage argued the government should not retrospectively declare donations illegal and threatened to retaliate by limiting trade union donations, if elected PM.
Trade union leader Paul Nowak said there was no similarity between "care workers chipping in a few quid a year through their union and a party bought and paid for by billionaires."
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