Nigel Farage has claimed people were “quite impressed” by his party securing a record-breaking £72 million from two cryptocurrency magnates, as he brushed off mounting scrutiny over Reform UK’s financial backing.

Speaking during a campaign visit to Doncaster, the Reform leader acknowledged that while he had initially feared public backlash over the funding would force him “into hiding,” the historic sum has instead generated “grudging respect.”

The donations – split equally between businessmen Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo – represent the largest single political donation in British history, shattering the previous record of £10m left to the Conservatives in 2022.

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Mr Farage said: “The fact…