Christopher Harborne, the Thailand-based crypto investor who has donated millions to Reform UK, is unlikely to circumvent a planned cap on overseas political donations even if he has registered to vote in the UK, sources indicate.
Harborne, who also gave Reform leader Nigel Farage a £5m 'gift', has registered to vote in Hampshire, according to The Times. A spokesperson for the billionaire stated he had decided to become a 'registered voter in the UK'. This move could be seen as an attempt to bypass proposed changes that may introduce a £100,000 annual cap on donations from Britons living abroad and block cryptocurrency donations.
However, the independent report by Sir Philip Rycroft, which recommended the cap, suggests it should apply to 'British voters living abroad' based on residency, not just voter registration. Decisions on individual cases would be made by local election officials determining 'normal residence'. Harborne has been based in Thailand for over five years, using the name Chakrit Sakunkrit.
To avoid the cap, Harborne might need to return to the UK, which would make him liable for UK tax on his estimated £18bn fortune. Rycroft's report linked taxation to fairness, noting that wealthy individuals who minimise UK tax contributions should not be able to make unlimited political donations.
Harborne's donations, including £15m to Reform in the past year, came to light after The Guardian revealed Farage received £5m before the 2024 election. Farage initially claimed it was for security, then for Brexit, and later refused to disclose spending, saying it was 'not any of your business'. He faces a parliamentary standards investigation.
