Private Jet for Farage's Chagos Mission Tied to Reform UK's Top Donor
Exclusive revelations have emerged linking the private jet used in Nigel Farage's controversial Chagos Islands expedition to Christopher Harborne, the billionaire mega-donor behind Reform UK. The aircraft, which transported the Reform leader to the Maldives as part of a high-profile political stunt, appears to be connected to Harborne's extensive aviation and business interests.
Details of the Aviation Connection
The two Dassault Falcon jets involved in the operation are owned by Black Panther Aviation, a British Virgin Islands company. These planes are operated by Sundance Operations, based in Guernsey, whose director has previously worked for Harborne's aviation firm AML Global. Media reports and offshore leak documents confirm these professional ties, highlighting the intricate network surrounding the aircraft.
Sundance Operations, which manages a fleet from a hangar in Bournemouth, was formerly known as Sherriff Aviation. This name aligns with Harborne's international Sherriff Group of Companies. Recent flight patterns show the jets traveling to Bangkok, where Harborne maintains significant business interests, and to Koh Samui, where he owns a wellness retreat.
The Failed Chagos Islands Expedition
Farage's journey aimed to draw attention to the plight of the Chagossian people, who were forcibly removed from the islands in the 1960s and continue to campaign for their right to return. The Reform leader also sought to protest the UK government's decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while retaining a lease on the military base located there.
Despite generating considerable media attention for Reform UK, the mission ultimately failed. Farage was unable to reach the islands without official permission from the UK government to access the military base. The trip's logistics included a separate charter flight that transported Chagossian campaigners to Sri Lanka, from where they attempted to reach the archipelago by boat.
Financial Implications and Donor Influence
While exact costs remain undisclosed, private jets of this caliber typically command fees exceeding £10,000 per hour for such international journeys. This expenditure underscores the substantial financial backing Harborne provides to Farage's political operations. The billionaire has donated an astonishing £12 million to Reform UK, including a recent £3 million contribution in the last quarter of 2025, following a record £9 million gift the previous summer.
Harborne's donation history establishes him as one of the most significant donors in British political history. His previous contributions include over £10 million to Farage's Brexit Party during the 2019 election campaign, £1 million to Boris Johnson's office after his premiership, and £28,000 for Farage to attend Donald Trump's inauguration.
Calls for Transparency and Reform
The disclosure has intensified demands from campaign groups such as Spotlight on Corruption and Transparency International for stricter caps on political donations. These organizations argue that the scale of Harborne's contributions necessitates greater transparency regarding funding sources in British politics.
Farage himself has previously criticized the appearance of donors providing substantial financial support to political figures. When Keir Starmer accepted over £16,000 for work clothing from Labour peer Waheed Alli, Farage remarked that it presented "a very bad look for somebody who said everything was going to change."
Background of the Mega-Donor
Christopher Harborne, who also uses the Thai name Chakrit Sakunkrit, began his career as a management consultant before amassing his fortune through cryptocurrency and aviation investments. Based in Thailand for approximately two decades, his business portfolio includes stakes in defence technology firm Qinetiq and aviation-fuel company AML Global.
Reform UK has stated that all funding related to the Chagos Islands trip will be properly declared to the relevant authorities. Despite multiple requests for comment, Harborne has not responded to inquiries regarding his potential ownership of the jets used in the operation or his involvement in financing the expedition.
The Financial Times recently reported that Harborne also funded the boat that undertook a five-day voyage from Sri Lanka to the Chagos archipelago, though this attempt to transport Farage to join the Chagossians proved unsuccessful. This series of events highlights the complex interplay between private wealth, political activism, and transparency in contemporary British politics.
