Boris Johnson's office receives 拢1m donation from crypto investor

Image source, PA Media

A company set up by ex-PM Boris Johnson after he left Downing Street, has received a 拢1m donation from crypto currency investor Christopher Harborne, parliamentary records show.

Mr Harborne has previously donated more than 拢15m to the Conservatives, the Brexit Party, and Reform UK.

A source close to Mr Johnson said the money would go towards supporting his activities as a former prime minister.

"It's not about a comeback plan or anything like that," the source added.

However, the donation to the Office of Boris Johnson Ltd is likely to fuel speculation about Mr Johnson's future political ambitions.

The Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP was forced to quit as prime minister last year by his own MPs.

that Mr Johnson has personally received some 拢300,000 for two speeches made in December.

He was paid 拢50,000 by property developers the Ballymore Group and 拢253,880 by tech firm ParallelChain Lab for speaking engagements in London and Singapore.

This comes on top of the 拢1m Mr Johnson had already earned for giving speeches since leaving Downing Street.

Those around Mr Johnson are keen to draw a distinction between the money he directly receives and donations given to his office - including the 拢1m from Mr Harborne.

"It is not his money and he doesn't have access to it," a source close to Mr Johnson said.

Mr Johnson's financial interests also show that in December and January he and his family received use of accommodation from Lady Carole Bamford worth an estimated 拢20,000.

Lady Bamford and her husband, JCB boss Anthony, have repeatedly made donations to Mr Johnson including 拢23,853 to cover the former prime minister's wedding costs.