A cryptocurrency tycoon pardoned by Donald Trump has given £36million to Reform UK – the largest single donation in British political history.

Ben Delo said he had given money to ensure Nigel Farage’s party can put up a ‘fair fight’ at the next election.

Mr Delo, who co-founded cryptocurrency platform BitMEX, was last year given an unconditional pardon by US President Donald Trump over a Bank Secrecy Act violation.

Opposition parties accused Mr Farage of trying to ‘bring Trump’s America to our shores’.

MPs last week backed measures to cap on overseas donations at £100,000 and suspend funding through cryptocurrency but Mr Delo has made the payment before the law comes into place.

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The billionaire, who was born in Sheffield but lives in Hong Kong, has previously said he will move back to the UK in order to continue his backing for Reform.

Writing in the Telegraph, he said: ‘Unlike the people who express mock concern for the healthof “our democracy” while doing everything they can to keep it as a cartel, I want a fair fight and a level playing field.

‘My conclusion from Reform’s recent troubles is that they should spend less time trying to raise funds to compete on equal terms and more time preparing for government.’

Reform is currently facing a criminal investigation into allegations it breached rules on political donations. The party denied any wrongdoing and said it would co-operate with the investigation.

Mr Farage welcomed the donation, saying: ‘I am honoured and humbled that Ben Delo has shown such confidence in Reform.

‘Ben knows that we are the only party that can turn the country around and reverse Britain’s decline.’

Other political parties hit out at the donation.

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart said: ‘Nigel Farage wants to bring Trump’s America to our shores by buying his way into power. He’s trying to get into Number 10 as if it’s a stop on a monopoly board.

‘It can’t go on like this. Andy Burnham needs to introduce a cap on political donations. Our democracy depends on it.’

A Labour spokesperson said: ‘Nigel Farage is still up to his neck in scandal over his secret £5 million “gift” from his other crypto-billionaire backer and the criminal investigation into potentially illegal donations.

‘The questions he faces aren’t going away – in fact they’re piling up.

‘Reform UK can’t buy their way out of questions about sleaze, criminal mates and dodgy finances.

‘It’s time Farage and Reform finally came clean with the public, co-operated fully with the police, and proved they’re not just in it for themselves.’

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