Ben Delo says new overseas donation cap is designed to curb support for Nigel Farage’s party

CRYPTOCURRENCY billionaire Ben Delo says he is returning to Britain so he can continue donating millions of pounds to Reform UK, after Labour unveiled plans to cap political donations from Britons living overseas.

Mr Delo, 42, who is currently based in Hong Kong, has already given £4 million to Reform this year. But under new government proposals, overseas electors would be limited to donating £100,000 a year.

The businessman has accused Sir Keir Starmer’s government of trying to tilt the political playing field in Labour’s favour by making it harder for Reform to attract major backing from wealthy British supporters living abroad.

Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Delo said he would relocate to the UK in order to continue funding Nigel Farage’s party and help it build a serious war chest before the next general election.

Mr Delo is widely known as a co-founder of the cryptocurrency trading platform BitMEX, which helped make him one of Britain’s youngest self-made billionaires.

He has also spoken publicly about having Asperger’s syndrome, saying he finds much of modern politics difficult to interpret because of what he sees as evasive and unclear language. He contrasted that with Mr Farage’s more direct style of speaking, which he said he finds easier to understand.

Mr Delo said his financial support could help Reform expand its staffing, improve campaign preparation and spend more on events, advertising and organisation ahead of the next national vote.

He also suggested the new donation cap could be aimed at limiting support from other wealthy overseas backers, including businessman Christopher Harborne, who has also donated substantial sums to Reform.

Mr Delo argued that while Labour continues to benefit from large donations linked to the trade union movement, the new rules would make it harder for rival parties to compete on equal terms.

The government says the proposed changes are part of a wider effort to tighten electoral law and reduce the risk of foreign influence in British politics.

Mr Farage welcomed Mr Delo’s decision, saying the funding would help Reform continue developing as a party that is serious about government and capable of attracting the expertise needed to prepare for power.

Mr Delo said he hoped other wealthy expatriates who want to support political causes in Britain would also consider returning to the UK.

Instrument by Peter Collins now in place as cathedral prepares for tuning and inaugural recital

ST DAVIDS CATHEDRAL CHOIR has announced the installation of a new organ in the Lady Chapel at St Davids Cathedral.

The instrument, a Peter Collins EOS9 organ, has been installed by Gary Owens Organ Builders.

Sharing the news, the choir said it was delighted with the addition of the “beautiful” organ and thanked the builders for their “time, professionalism and energy” in completing the work.

The cathedral says the instrument will now be left to settle for a couple of weeks before receiving its first tuning.

Further details about the dedication of the organ and its inaugural recital are expected to be announced soon.

In the meantime, the organ is open for inspection, while the Lady Chapel is once again available for worship and private prayer.

Phoenix Boys see off St Ishmaels 4-1 at the Ogi Bridge Meadow to book their place in this month’s Pembrokeshire showpiece.

GOODWICK UNITED booked their place in the Pembrokeshire Football League Senior Cup final on Friday night with a 4-1 victory over St Ishmaels at the Ogi Bridge Meadow.

Goodwick took a narrow lead into the break before pulling away in the second half to make sure of their place in the final, capping another strong display from the Phoenix Boys.

The win means Goodwick will now take on Monkton Swifts in the final at the Ogi Bridge Meadow on Saturday, April 25.

Monkton sealed their own place in the final earlier in the week with a 2-1 win over Neyland, setting up an eye-catching showdown between two of Pembrokeshire’s strongest sides.

With silverware now on the line, the final promises to be a big occasion at Haverfordwest County’s home ground later this month.