Political finance analysts noted that the current electoral framework permits donors to declare residency in multiple jurisdictions simultaneously without imposing a minimum required days of physical presence in the UK.
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"We see someone working in a system that is incredibly permissive, in a system which has gaping loopholes," said Dr Sam Power, an expert in political finance and electoral regulation.
Harborne has funneled £15 million to Reform UK since 2025, in addition to £10.2 million previously provided to the Brexit Party and £1.79 million given to the Conservative Party.
"Most people do not hold real estate via opaque offshores, so it always begs the question ‘Why?’
when they do," said Steve Goodrich, head of research and investigations for Transparency International.
"Using a jurisdiction like the BVI or Wyoming gives the owner almost complete anonymity.
Even law enforcement can struggle to uncover who controls firms from these territories," said Goodrich.
The investigation also uncovered extensive unadvertised Guernsey real estate tied to Harborne, including four properties owned through offshore entities in Wyoming and the British Virgin Islands, as well as a private aviation operator, Sundance Operations, building a hangar at Guernsey Airport.
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Additionally, Harborne faces Parliamentary scrutiny over a £5 million private gift made in April 2024 to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage prior to Farage's election to Parliament, sparking an investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner regarding undeclared registrable benefits.
