Richard Tice has accused Labour of “rigging the system” against Reform UK as he hit back at plans to cap donations to political parties.
Speaking to GB News, the Reform UK deputy leader blasted the Government for “hyperventilating hypocrisy” in the row over multimillion-pound gifts to Nigel Farage’s party.
In 24 hours, cryptocurrency tycoons Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne contributed a combined £72million to Reform.
Labour’s Angela Rayner has announced that a “task and finish” group has been established in response to the donations, which will determine whether further legislation is required to place limits on such contributions.
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The Housing Secretary said the group would also consider ways to stop individuals from “overpower and buy their way into democracy” through financial donations.
Ms Rayner has suggested any new rules could be applied retroactively, forcing Reform to return the two £36million gifts.
Mr Tice insisted Reform was “very confident” the donations were legal and compliant with the rules currently in force and legislation being considered by Parliament.
He also accused Labour of “hyperventilating hypocrisy” over the issue, pointing to the tens of millions of pounds the party receives from trade unions.
“They bang on about this, just conveniently forgetting that they get tens of millions pretty much plus or minus every year from the unions,” the Reform deputy leader said.
He questioned whether Labour was being held to the same standard over demands made by its union backers.
“What about the demands that unions make on the Labour Party that get met every single year?” he asked.
Mr Tice claimed union demands for increased employment rights and higher public sector pay were routinely reflected in Government policy.
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The Reform deputy leader accused Labour of attempting to “rig the system” with its latest plans.
“I think voters up and down the country will see this for what it is — a failing socialist government that is essentially trying to rig the system against a new competitor that is gaining lots of votes, lots of support, lots of attraction,” he declared.
Mr Tice predicted Britons should be “delighted that a level playing field is being created by successful entrepreneurs”.
He said that Mr Delo and Mr Harborne had “made the decision actually to come back to this country and to help save it, to help fix it”.
He said the cash would allow Reform to “come up with the right policies of cutting income tax, cutting energy bills, building affordable social housing, stopping the boats and making our streets safer.”
“That’s a good thing. And why would anybody want to stop that?
“Why would anybody want to stop a bit of competition that keeps everybody on their toes?” the Reform Deputy Leader said.
Earlier today, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he agreed with Reform over the donations row.
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