Robert Jenrick, Reform UK's economic spokesman, has asserted that £72m in donations received by the party from cryptocurrency billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne were "entirely in line with the law". He told the BBC that he did not anticipate the party would need to return any of the money.
The government is attempting to alter the law regarding donations to UK political parties from British expats, which includes a proposed £100,000 cap that would be backdated to 25 March. Jenrick stated that the donations comply with both the current law and, as far as he knows, future legislation.
Both Delo and Harborne, who are British and have lived overseas, have reportedly returned to the UK. Jenrick indicated that Delo's return was partly to comply with the legal changes. The proposed measures, which also limit donations from those who return to the UK to £100,000 in the remainder of the calendar year and the following calendar year, have been approved by MPs and added to the Representation of the People Bill, which now awaits scrutiny in the House of Lords.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said the government's proposed changes resulted from a review by Philip Rycroft, published on 25 March. She noted that the intention of the legislation and recommendations, which were accepted, meant it would be retrospective to that date. Rayner also stated that the Electoral Commission has been contacted to explore further measures to protect democracy.