Reform UK receives a record £36 million donation from Ben Delo, a British cryptocurrency billionaire. The donation makes him the largest donor by far to UK political parties, exceeding a previously reported £15 million contribution to Reform UK from Christopher Harborne.
Both outlets link Delo’s identity and background to a US legal case. Delo was convicted in the United States for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls, according to the reports. They also state that he is later pardoned by then-President Donald Trump, and that he has moved back to the UK from Hong Kong.
While the outlets differ in emphasis—The Guardian focuses on the scale of the donation within the UK party funding landscape, and Times of India focuses more directly on explaining who Delo is—the core points about the amount, the recipient, and the US conviction and pardon are aligned.
