Nigel Farage’s recent attempt to reach the Chagos Islands military base was facilitated by a private jet with apparent ties to Christopher Harborne, a major donor to Reform UK, raising questions about funding and political connections within the party. The revelation comes as scrutiny intensifies over the financial backing of Reform UK and its leader’s high-profile political maneuvers.
Harborne, who has donated a total of £12 million to Reform UK, including a further £3 million in late 2025, has links to two Dassault Falcon jets used to transport Farage to the Maldives and a group of Chagossian campaigners to Sri Lanka, according to reports. The trip, intended to highlight the plight of the Chagossians and oppose the UK government’s policy on the islands, ultimately failed to land Farage on the archipelago without official permission.
Private Jet Connections
The private jets used in the operation are owned by Black Panther Aviation, a British Virgin Islands company, and operated by Sundance Operations, based in Guernsey. Media reports indicate a connection between Sundance Operations’ director and Harborne’s aviation firm, AML Global, as well as another of his companies, according to offshore leak documents. Sundance Operations, formerly known as Sherriff Aviation, operates from a hangar in Bournemouth and is part of Harborne’s wider Sherriff Group of Companies. The two planes have recently flown to Bangkok, where Harborne has business interests, and Koh Samui, where he owns a wellness retreat.
Whereas the precise cost of the private jet travel remains undisclosed, similar aircraft typically cost upwards of £10,000 per hour, suggesting a substantial expense. This disclosure underscores Harborne’s significant influence within Farage’s political operation. He previously contributed a record £9 million to Reform UK last summer, demonstrating a pattern of substantial financial support.
Chagossians and Political Motivations
Farage stated his intention for the trip was to draw attention to the situation of the Chagossians, whose families were removed from the islands in the 1960s and are seeking the right to return. He likewise opposes the UK government’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while maintaining a lease for the military base. Though, the Reform UK leader was unable to reach the islands without authorization from the UK government.
Harborne also funded a boat from Thailand that transported Chagossian campaigners to Sri Lanka in an attempt to reach the archipelago, a voyage that ultimately proved unsuccessful, according to the Financial Times.
Donations and Transparency Concerns
The scale of Harborne’s donations to Reform UK – totaling £12 million – has renewed calls for greater transparency in political funding. Campaign groups, including Spotlight on Corruption and Transparency International, are advocating for a cap on political donations. Harborne’s previous financial support for the Brexit Party in 2019, exceeding £10 million, and a subsequent £1 million donation to Boris Johnson’s office after he left Downing Street, further highlight his influence in British politics. He also provided £28,000 to Farage to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Farage himself has previously criticized the optics of large donations to political figures, questioning a £16,000 gift of work clothing to Keir Starmer from Labour peer Waheed Alli, stating it was “just a very bad look.”
Reform UK has stated that the funding for the Chagos Islands trip will be declared to the authorities as required. Harborne did not respond to requests for comment.
The ongoing debate surrounding the Chagos Islands, coupled with the revelations about funding sources, is likely to fuel further discussion about the role of money in British politics and the transparency of political donations. What remains to be seen is whether this scrutiny will lead to concrete changes in campaign finance regulations.
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