Crypto billionaires face further block on political donations over £100,000

A new bill seeks to prevent tycoons such as Christopher Harborne from giving substantial gifts within a year of returning to the UK

- Catherine Neilan

Crypto billionaires Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo will face restrictions on making multimillion-pound political donations for a year after moving back to the UK under strengthened legislation returning to parliament this month.

The Observer understands that changes to the Representation of the People Bill will prevent overseas voters who have returned to the UK from donating more than £100,000 for the first 12 months after they relocate. The move will apply retrospectively from 25 March this year, meaning any sums above £100,000 donated since that day would have to be returned.

Harborne, who is based in Thailand, has donated £15m to Reform since the 2024 general election. He was restored to the electoral roll in June, registering his address in Hampshire. Delo, who has said he is moving back to the UK from Hong Kong, gave £4m in the first quarter of this year. It is not known whether the two men have made further donations that have not yet been declared.