Angela Rayner accused Nigel Farage of 'falling at the feet' of wealthy 'sugar daddies' during her speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, targeting the Reform UK leader over £72 million in donations from two cryptocurrency investors.
The Housing Secretary was referring to £36 million donations from Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne, which were announced within 24 hours of each other earlier this month. The combined £72 million is the largest amount donated to a UK political party by individuals and has intensified scrutiny of political funding rules.
Reform UK has defended the donations as legitimate political funding. The party has said the money will help it build its organisation and prepare for the next general election.
Rayner Targets Reform's £72m Donations
Rayner told Labour delegates that Farage and Reform had 'fought us every step of the way' over workers' and renters' rights before saying the Reform leader had been 'exposed'.
She accused Farage of 'falling at the feet' of vested interests and questioned whether his 'crypto billionaire sugar daddies' were giving him millions because he was standing up for working people.
Rayner also referred to Farage's use of Cameo, the platform where members of the public can pay public figures to record personalised videos. A Guardian investigation found Farage had earned at least £374,893 through the service since joining it in 2021.
View this post on Instagram
Rayner told delegates that if Farage would sing happy birthday for £70, they should consider what he might do for £70 million.
The two £36 million donations from Delo and Harborne were made within about 24 hours. Reform has said the donors expect nothing in return and would not receive a peerage, knighthood or government contract if the party entered office.
Scrutiny Over Political Donations
The donations have come as questions are being raised over proposed changes to political funding rules, including restrictions affecting donations from overseas-based individuals and contributions made using cryptoassets. The proposed changes could tighten eligibility rules for some donors based on UK residency.
Reform has maintained that the £72 million donations comply with existing rules. Questions have also been raised over Harborne's previous political contributions and his UK residency.
View this post on Instagram
Harborne separately gave £5 million personally to Farage before the 2024 general election. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards opened an investigation into whether the payment should have been declared on the register of MPs' interests. That inquiry concerns the personal gift and is separate from Harborne's £36 million donation to Reform.
Rayner's Wider Conference Message
Although her criticism of Farage drew attention, much of Rayner's speech focused on housing, local government and Labour's record in office.
She highlighted council housebuilding, renters' rights and efforts to give local authorities and mayors greater powers. Rayner also promoted a £210 million programme to bring boarded-up high-street properties back into use, with funding aimed at regeneration and community ownership.
She pointed to Labour's employment and renters' rights legislation and said the Government was working to tackle homelessness. Rayner also referred to around 180,000 children living in temporary accommodation.
Her speech combined attacks on Reform's funding with a wider defence of Labour's record on housing, workers' rights and local government, as both parties continue to compete for support among voters.
