Nigel Farage’s attempt to reach the Chagos Islands military base involved a private jet linked to Reform UK’s major donor, Christopher Harborne, who has donated £12 million to the party. Harborne also has links to a plane that transported Chagossian campaigners to Sri Lanka before their attempt to reach the archipelago by boat.
Harborne’s Financial Ties
Thailand-based cryptocurrency and aviation investor Christopher Harborne did not respond to requests for comment regarding his ownership of the planes used in the operation. Farage’s trip ended without success, as he was unable to access the islands without permission from the UK government.
Farage stated the trip was intended to highlight the situation of the Chagossians, families who were removed from the islands in the 1960s and are seeking the right to return. He also opposes the UK government’s plan to transfer sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius while maintaining a lease for the military base.
Despite failing to reach the islands, the trip generated attention for Reform UK as the party aimed to influence the political debate surrounding the Chagos Islands controversy.
Cost of the Trip
While the exact cost is unknown, private jets of comparable size typically cost over £10,000 per hour to operate. The disclosure underscores Harborne’s significant role as a financial backer of Farage’s political activities.
Harborne recently donated an additional £3 million to Reform UK in the last quarter of 2025, following a £9 million donation last summer. His substantial contributions are likely to increase calls for greater transparency in political donations.
Farage has previously criticized the appearance of impropriety when donors fund prominent political figures. He commented on a situation involving Keir Starmer, stating, “It’s just a very bad look for somebody who said everything was going to change.”
Logistical Support
Reports indicate Harborne funded a boat from Thailand that attempted a five-day voyage to transport the party from Sri Lanka to the archipelago, but failed to bring Farage along. The two Dassault Falcon planes involved are owned by Black Panther Aviation, a British Virgin Islands company, and operated by Sundance Operations, based in Guernsey.
A director of Sundance Operations has previously worked for Harborne’s aviation firm, AML Global, and another of his companies, according to reports and offshore leak documents. Sundance Operations, formerly Sherriff Aviation, operates a fleet of Dassault and Eclipse planes from a hangar in Bournemouth. Harborne also heads the Sherriff Group of Companies.
The planes have recently traveled to Bangkok, where Harborne has business interests, and one went to Koh Samui, where he owns a wellness retreat.
Campaign groups, including Spotlight on Corruption and Transparency International, have renewed calls for a cap on political donations in light of Harborne’s contributions. Harborne previously donated over £10 million to Farage’s Brexit Party in 2019 and £1 million to Boris Johnson’s office after he left Downing Street, and also funded Farage’s attendance at Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Harborne began his career as a management consultant and lived in Thailand for approximately 20 years, where he is also known as Chakrit Sakunkrit. He holds a stake in the defence tech firm Qinetiq, as well as AML Global.
Reform UK stated that the funding for the Chagos Islands trip will be reported to authorities as required. Harborne did not respond to requests for comment.
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