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Ben Delo, a British billionaire convicted in the US for failing to implement adequate anti-money-laundering controls in his cryptocurrency business, has donated £4m to Reform UK, the party founded by Nigel Farage. Delo, who is now based in Hong Kong, made the donation since the start of the year, before the government's cap on donations to political parties by British citizens living abroad.Delo, 42, who was pardoned by Donald Trump last year, is moving back to the UK and therefore will not in future be subject to the new rules for donors. He explained his motivations for turning to Reform UK, saying England was his home and that “the biggest obstacle to national recovery is the entrenched self-deception of our elites”.In his article for the Telegraph, Delo wrote that he had donated £4m to help Nigel Farage build Reform UK into a “genuine alternative party of government”. He cited his dissatisfaction with the current political culture, stating that “the official culture of government now forces everyone to be chronically dishonest”, citing expression of views on transgender people.Delo was convicted in the US in 2022 after pleading guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act by failing to implement adequate anti-money-laundering controls at BitMEX, the trillion-dollar cryptocurrency exchange he co-founded. He has poured more than £100m into philanthropy and supports more than 50 organisations ranging across the political spectrum and public life.Nigel Farage welcomed Delo's support, saying it would help Reform attract more of the skills and talents needed to get ready for government. “Ben’s support will help Reform attract more of the skills and talents we need to get ready for government,” Farage told the Telegraph.

Ipswich Town secured a vital 2-1 victory over Birmingham City on Easter Monday, propelling them into the automatic promotion places in the Championship. The win came courtesy of a decisive goal from Kasey McAteer, his first since joining the club last summer.The match was played against the backdrop of controversy surrounding Nigel Farage's visit to Portman Road on March 23. Farage, the leader of Reform UK, was seen wearing an Ipswich shirt with the number 10 on it, sparking division among fans and a heated debate about the club's apolitical stance. The club's chairman, Mark Ashton, later apologized for any hurt, pain, or distress caused by the incident.On the pitch, Ipswich dominated proceedings, with McAteer scoring the winning goal after Birmingham's Carlos Vicente had given them a surprise first-half lead. The hosts' full-backs played a crucial role in securing the draw and ultimately the win, with Darnell Furlong's cross leading to Ben Johnson's equalizing goal.The second half saw Birmingham push for an equalizer, with Ibrahim Osman's introduction making a significant impact. However, despite some nervy moments, Ipswich held firm, and McAteer's goal sealed the win and sent the home fans into raptures. This victory moves Ipswich into second place on goal difference above Millwall, with Middlesbrough still to play their evening game.

The UK Prime Minister's recent comments on seeking closer relations with the EU are a step in the right direction, but a piecemeal approach to repairing the damage done by Brexit is unlikely to succeed.A more ambitious plan would be for Labour to announce a referendum on whether the UK should open negotiations on re-entry to the EU, promising a general election to secure a mandate to implement the proposal should the British public vote in favour. This would allow the government to seize the initiative and provide it with an issue around which to rally a broad base of electoral support.This approach would also expose the increasing reluctance of Reform UK and the Conservatives to defend Brexit and silence accusations of the betrayal of British voters.Ultimately, it would provide a practical route for restoring Britain to its rightful place within the EU, at a time when shifts in the global order make that task more urgent than ever.

The new Reform UK promotion, dubbed “Nigel cut my bills,” asks voters to surrender personal details – name, phone, email and voting history – for a chance that Nigel Farage will foot their energy bills for a year. The concept reads like a scripted MrBeast video: a charismatic host appears on a suburban street, hands out cash, and celebrates each winner with upbeat music and on‑screen tallies. While the party frames the scheme as a bold, voter‑engaging move, privacy advocates have already flagged potential breaches of data‑protection law. More troubling, however, is what the stunt signifies: the “MrBeastification” of British politics, where flashy giveaways replace substantive policy debate. Reform UK’s website touts a suite of promised savings if it wins the next election: scrapping VAT on energy bills (a £85 reduction), eliminating Labour’s green levy (£100), and removing the carbon tax (£15). The messaging is clear – Farage is portrayed as a man who puts money directly into voters’ pockets. Yet the underlying issue of soaring energy costs is oversimplified. Bills are high not because of the mentioned taxes, but because the UK’s electricity price is tied to volatile gas market prices. Farage’s advocacy for renewed North Sea drilling would lock the country into this volatility, offering short‑term relief at the expense of long‑term energy security. Earlier, Reform UK floated a controversial policy targeting non‑domiciled residents: a one‑off charge of £250,000 for a ten‑year renewable residence permit, with proceeds earmarked for low‑paid workers. Critics argue the fee merely shifts the burden onto wealthy foreigners while providing negligible benefit to ordinary voters. In the world of viral giveaways, the spectacle often masks deeper shortcomings. As the article notes, after MrBeast hands cash to a homeless man, he probes the man’s backstory, revealing systemic issues that a single payment cannot solve. Similarly, Reform’s grand gestures risk being tokenistic, offering temporary excitement without addressing the structural challenges of the UK’s energy market. Ultimately, the “Nigel cut my bills” competition may capture attention, but it also underscores a shift toward sensationalist political communication that prioritises instant gratification over meaningful policy solutions.

Labour has challenged Nigel Farage over the cost of his private jet trip to the Maldives, questioning his claim that it cost as little as £25,000. Farage, the leader of Reform UK, initially recorded the two-day trip as costing £12,500, funded by Thailand-based Reform megadonor Christopher Harborne, before later upgrading the cost to £25,000. The Labour Party's chair, Anna Turley, wrote to Farage arguing that chartering a private jet of a similar size would cost many times more than the sum declared. According to publicly available flight logs, the 11,000-mile round trip lasted just over 23 hours, using a model of plane that is currently advertised on multiple private jet websites as costing at least $11,500 (£8,500) per hour to charter. Turley highlighted that the plane's ownership is linked to Harborne, who has given the party more than £12m. She asked Farage to clarify how he valued the cost of the flight, which did not end in him reaching the Chagos Islands, as he did not have permission. Farage has described the visit as a "humanitarian mission", saying he undertook the trip to highlight the plight of the Chagossians, whose families were removed from the islands in the 1960s and are seeking to return. The trip has sparked controversy over the valuation of the private jet donation and Farage's attempts to reach the Chagos Islands, which are subject to a UK government decision to hand sovereignty to Mauritius.

A virtual gathering of over 40 countries will set the agenda for a global military planning meeting next week, focusing on clearing sea mines and rescuing vessels immobilised in the Strait of Hormuz.UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper opened the summit by condemning what she described as “Iranian recklessness” that endangers global economic security and threatens the flow of vital energy supplies.The discussions are proceeding without direct US involvement; instead, the UK, France, Germany, Australia and several Gulf states are exploring practical steps to restore access to the strategic waterway.President Donald Trump has urged nations that depend on the strait to “build up some delayed courage” and “just grab it,” a comment that has drawn criticism from UK officials.The strait transports 10‑25% of the world’s oil and gas. Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that reopening the lane “will not be easy,” given the scale of the disruption.Cooper outlined a multi‑pronged approach: diplomatic and economic pressure, reassurance for industry, insurers and energy markets, and coordinated actions to guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers.She cited more than 25 Iranian attacks on vessels, estimating around 20,000 seafarers on roughly 2,000 ships are currently stranded.Highlighting the broader stakes, Cooper referenced World Bank projections that a prolonged blockage could push 9 million people into food insecurity and trigger unsustainable spikes in oil and food prices worldwide.At a follow‑up session scheduled for Tuesday, military planners will consider how to marshal collective defensive capabilities, including the removal of mines that Tehran may have laid to sink ships.The meeting will be hosted by Britain’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, London, with many international leaders joining virtually.Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warned President Trump not to abandon “a mess he’s made” in the Middle East, echoing former US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s dictum, “if you break it, you own it.”Reform UK’s Nigel Farage said he was not “angry” with Trump for entering the conflict but found the president’s press briefings “difficult to interpret.”Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged Prime Minister Starmer to “step up” plans and present a clear alternative for reopening the oil‑ and gas‑laden shipping route.

Nick Candy, who serves as the honorary treasurer of Reform UK and is among its top financial backers, has completed the sale of his Chelsea residence for an estimated £275 million. The transaction, first reported by Bloomberg, is believed to set a new benchmark for residential sales in London and ranks among the world’s most valuable property deals. Known as Providence House, the Grade II‑listed estate sits within the grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital and features a private lake and swimming pool. The identity of the purchaser has not been disclosed. Land Registry records list the current owner as Providence House LLP, a partnership controlled by Candy, with his estranged wife, former pop star Holly Valance, also named as a partner. A mortgage charge from First Abu Dhabi Bank is registered against the title. Candy’s involvement with Reform extends beyond his treasurer role; he contributed roughly £1 million to the party last year and has been instrumental in high‑profile fundraising events, including a 2024 gathering for Donald Trump Jr. at the estate. He has previously been seen alongside Nigel Farage as the party promoted a “billionaires’ bonanza” scheme offering wealthy individuals a £250,000 fee for ten‑year residency and a special tax regime. Candy also attended a meeting between Farage and billionaire Elon Musk at Mar‑a‑Lago in December 2024. Alongside his brother Christian, Candy amassed his fortune through global property ventures. He continues to market other high‑value assets, including a £175 million penthouse at One Hyde Park and a Los Angeles mansion, while maintaining office space in Mayfair that also houses Farage’s company, Thorn in the Side. Originally purchased by Christian Candy in 2012, the Chelsea mansion was later transferred to Nick Candy, underscoring the family’s long‑standing presence in the UK’s luxury property market.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Downing Street staff that Britain’s long‑term national interest now hinges on a more ambitious partnership with the European Union, a stance shaped by the escalating war in the Middle East and the broader volatility of global politics.He announced that the foreign secretary will convene an international meeting later this week to discuss ways to re‑open the Strait of Hormuz and ensure safe navigation once hostilities subside. Following that summit, Starmer said military planners will be brought together to assess how Britain can contribute to securing the vital waterway.Emphasising a strategic pivot, Starmer said the UK’s future is increasingly tied to Europe, especially ahead of an upcoming EU summit that will go beyond merely reviewing last year’s “reset” commitments. He warned that Brexit inflicted deep damage on the British economy and that the opportunities to improve security and alleviate the cost‑of‑living crisis are “too big to ignore”.At the summit, the government aims to secure closer economic and defence cooperation, a partnership built on shared values and mutual security interests. Starmer added that strengthening ties with the EU could also enhance the UK’s relationship with the United States, despite recent criticism from President Donald Trump.When pressed about Trump’s remarks about possibly withdrawing the US from NATO, Starmer replied that he will act according to the British national interest, regardless of external “noise”. He also clarified that, while Labour’s manifesto does not call for re‑joining the EU single market, the government is open to negotiating deeper single‑market links if they serve Britain’s economic goals.The speech drew sharp rebuke from Reform UK, whose deputy leader Richard Tice dismissed the idea of tighter EU ties as “ludicrous” and warned of the bloc’s past reliance on Russian gas. In contrast, Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton hailed the remarks as an “overdue moment of honesty” about Brexit’s costs and urged the UK to scrap “red‑line” policies and consider a customs union as an economic imperative.Green Party MP Siân Berry welcomed the shift, saying Starmer is finally recognising the need to look to European partners for long‑term security rather than relying solely on the United States.

The UK government has introduced a temporary ban on cryptocurrency donations to political parties, following a review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics. The ban, recommended by Philip Rycroft, a former senior civil servant, aims to allow regulators to catch up with the risks associated with crypto assets.Rycroft's review highlighted that crypto assets are used as a vehicle to channel in foreign money, posing a risk to the integrity of the political finance system. While a full ban is not deemed necessary, the moratorium will remain in place until parliament and the Electoral Commission are satisfied that new rules are effective.The Electoral Commission has warned parties that the same verification procedures for cash donations also apply to crypto donations, including checking the source of donations over £500 and reporting donations from a single source over £11,180. The commission has noted that cryptoassets present particular challenges and risks in meeting electoral law requirements.Concerns over crypto donations have been raised due to the potential for using 'mixers' to obscure the true source of a donation or AI tools to split donations, which could evade reporting thresholds. The joint committee on the national security strategy has called for a ban on crypto donations, citing the risk to the integrity of the political finance system.Only three parties have said they will accept crypto donations: Reform UK, the far-right Homeland Party, and the Other Party. Reform UK has received crypto donations, but they have not exceeded the £11,180 threshold. The party accepts crypto donations through a Polish payment platform called Radom, which claims to follow UK rules around verifying the identity of donors.