Britain has approved stricter rules on political donations from abroad, in a move the government says is aimed at protecting elections from any foreign financial influence.
The new measures came amid growing concerns about what British Housing Minister Steve Reid described as “suspicious financing,” and after a government review that addressed the interference of foreign money in political affairs.
Last year, the government ordered the review, after a former Islah Party politician was sentenced to prison after receiving bribes in exchange for making pro-Russian speeches and statements.
The review concluded that Britain faces continued attempts by foreign countries, including Russia and Iran, to influence and undermine its democracy.
Under the new rules, political candidates will have to declare donations exceeding £2,230 that they received before their candidacy, and prove that the funding came from legitimate sources.
“By imposing stricter standards on foreign donors and requiring candidates to prove the source of their funding, we are taking world-leading action to protect the integrity of our elections and address the threats we face from abroad,” Reid said.
The measures also include requiring individuals coming from abroad to permanently reside in the United Kingdom for a year before being allowed to make a political donation of £100,000 or more.
Corporate donations will also be assessed on their after-tax profits, rather than on revenue, to ensure that only companies linked and organized within the UK are able to donate.
These rules come as a continuation of measures announced in March, including setting an annual cap on donations from Britons residing abroad at 100,000 pounds sterling, and banning donations in cryptocurrencies until an effective system is established to regulate them.
The move coincides with the leader of the anti-immigration Reform Party, Nigel Farage, being subjected to a parliamentary investigation into whether he should have announced a £5 million donation from Thailand-based billionaire Christopher Harbourne.
The Reform Party said that no rules had been broken regarding the donation, while Farage was also referred to Parliament’s standards watchdog after a report on his failure to declare some other benefits. (Al Ain)
