Labour MPs push to make UK crypto donation ban permanent

Labour MPs have proposed making the UK's temporary ban on cryptocurrency donations to political parties permanent as scrutiny intensifies over crypto-linked political funding following Nigel Farage's resignation as the Member of Parliament for Clacton. The amendments to political donation rules would extend a moratorium introduced in March. Labour MP Liam Byrne, who chairs the business select committee, said the changes are meant to strengthen safeguards against political influence from wealthy donors. Lawmakers are expected to debate the proposal next week. The push comes as Parliament's standards commissioner investigates gifts Farage said he received from Christopher Harborne and George Cottrell. The donations under scrutiny include a gift valued at roughly $6.7 million from Harborne, along with staff, security, transport and accommodation provided by Cottrell. Farage has said he "done nothing wrong" and that Harborne's multimillion-pound payment was an unconditional personal gift for security costs following threats against him. Farage said support from Cottrell was received before he entered Parliament after the 2024 general election and therefore did not fall under parliamentary disclosure rules. His resignation has triggered a by-election in Clacton. At the same time, Labour has begun choosing a successor to Keir Starmer, and Andy Burnham's past support for turning Greater Manchester into a "Web3 powerhouse" could shape the party's approach to crypto policy.