ALMOST 10 per cent of political donations come from unknown or questionable sources, research found today.

Transparency International UK analysed donations reported to the Electoral Commission between 2001 and 2024.

It found that £115 million out of a total of £1.2 billion had been accepted from “questionable” sources — amounting to about £1 in every £10 donated.

Out of this, £48.2m was linked to donors alleged or proven to have bought privileged access, influence or honours.

A further £42m came from individuals alleged or proven to have been involved in corruption, fraud and/or money laundering. 

Another £38.6m came from unknown sources and funnelled through “opaque unincorporated associations,” which hide their funds from the public.

Unincorporated associations are often used for organisations such as sports clubs.  

They do not have a separate legal identity and are not required to file annual accounts with Companies House.

The analysis linked a further £4.6m to foreign governments, parliaments and regime-linked groups.

Transparency International UK warned of an “arms race” in political spending — made worse after the government raised campaign limits.

The limit was increased by 45 per cent to £34m last year. Although Transparency International UK calculates that with separate legal limits on candidate spending, major elections could cost parties closer to £100m.

This has made parties increasingly reliant on the super-rich for support, leaving them vulnerable to interference, the charity says.

In 2023, parties received £85m from private donors. Two-thirds came from just 19 donors who gave over a million pounds.

The charity has suggested 15 reforms, which include reducing the cost of elections through legislating lower spending limits, introducing an Elections Bill to stop donations of unknown origin, and implementing an annual donation cap of £10,000.

Rose Whiffen, of Transparency International UK, said: “We are now seeing a new arms race in political spending with parties ever more reliant on the super-rich for support. 

“The over-reliance on a small number of wealthy donors exposes parties and their politicians to powerful interests and the risks of foreign interference and undue influence shaping our politics.  

“Only through reforms to tighten spending rules, bring dark money out of the shadows and improve accountability for those who abuse the system can we loosen the grip of big money and improve the integrity of our political system.”