A prominent donor of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party has been revealed as an admirer of the far-right figure Enoch Powell. Gary Dutton expressed his admiration for Powell’s vision, despite the controversial “Rivers of blood” speech where Powell predicted a race war. Dutton, a wealthy individual, also pushed David Cameron to halt immigration.
Dutton, aged 76, contributed £10,000 to Reform’s Lee Anderson this year and had previously donated £45,000 through his company. Additionally, Dutton’s firm funded a £1,500 trip for Anderson to France. Reform UK, currently leading in the polls, proposed mass deportations of asylum seekers. In his autobiography, Dutton mentioned Powell among the figures he admired, alongside Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney.
Powell’s speech, delivered before the Labour government’s Race Relations Bill, warned against the consequences of mass immigration. Despite Powell’s views, Farage had sought Powell’s support for his campaign years ago. In his book “The Business Builder”, Dutton shared a conversation with Cameron where he advocated for strict immigration control and criticized political correctness.
Dutton’s company, E.I.R.P Ltd, financially supported Reform UK under its previous name, the Brexit Party. Dutton, recognized with an MBE for manufacturing services, was listed in the Sunday Times Rich List with a net worth of £134 million. Reform UK has been approached for comment on the matter.