Reform UK’s crypto-billionaire donors could face enhanced residency checks | The IndependentJump to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.Subscribe`; document.body.appendChild(modal); modal.addEventListener('click', () => { document.cookie = 'mos-plan-select=; Max-Age=0; path=/; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 UTC;'; }); modal.querySelector('.subscribe-link')?.addEventListener('click', (e) => { e.preventDefault(); document.cookie = 'mos-plan-select=; Max-Age=0; path=/; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 UTC;'; setTimeout(() => { window.location.href = 'https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe?regSourceMethod=Bookmarks'; }, 500); });});]]>Millie CookeTuesday 15 September 2026 09:32 BSTFarage admits that donations scandal shows Reform 'will make mistakes'Ministers are considering tightening residency requirements for political donors after Reform UK received £72 million in donations over the weekend.Proposed legislation includes a £100,000 cap on donations from British expats, which could be backdated to March and affect two twin £36 million gifts to Reform UK.The government is planning an enhanced residency test requiring donors to prove an ongoing physical presence in the UK.Reform UK leader Nigel Farage defended the legality of the donations, criticised retrospective law changes, and warned he would ban trade union funding for Labour if elected.Ministers are also considering wider measures and a dedicated taskforce to tackle the influence of mega-donors across British politics.In fullReform UK’s £72m crypto tycoon donors could face enhanced residency checksMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in