No 10 denies ‘enhanced’ donor checks would be to target Reform’s £72 million

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking during the Reform UK National Conference, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham (Stefan Rousseau/PA) - (PA Wire)

Downing Street has denied targeting the record £72 million given to Reform UK from its crypto-billionaire backers with potential “enhanced” checks to prove British residency.

Ministers are considering whether to strengthen proposed laws to force political donors to demonstrate an “ongoing” presence in the country amid reports Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne have already returned to the UK.