Reform donor Ben Delo loaned £350k to academic found to have engaged in online bullying

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Published: 2026-09-18T15:40:24.518Z • Permanent link

Reform UK's new mega-donor Ben Delo has been accused of lending £350,000 to a conservative writer, Nina Power, who is facing a legal case in which she has been accused of online bullying. Power, a British academic, has been involved in high-profile online disputes, including a notable incident in which she was criticized for her use of social media to target and harass individuals. Judge Sarah Williams stated that Power's social media posts had "the whiff of threat and antisemitism", highlighting concerns about the writer's behavior and potential impact on her reputation. Power's online activities have sparked debate about the limits of free speech and the role of social media in shaping public discourse.

Power's loan from Delo was arranged through her company, Nina Power Limited, which was incorporated in 2019. Delo, a British entrepreneur and philanthropist, has been a major supporter of Reform UK, a right-wing party that has gained popularity in recent years. His £350,000 loan to Power was reportedly made to help her fund her legal defense against the online bullying allegations. The loan was facilitated by a company called Alchemy Fiduciary Services, which is based in the Cayman Islands and has been linked to several high-profile clients, including Delo and other wealthy individuals.

Power's online activities have raised concerns about her fitness to be a respected academic and public intellectual. Her use of social media to target and harass individuals has been condemned by many, including some of her peers and prominent figures in the academic community. The incident highlights the need for greater accountability and regulation of online behavior, particularly when it involves public figures and institutions. As the online landscape continues to evolve, it is essential that we develop new standards and norms for respectful and constructive online engagement.

The allegations against Power and Delo have significant implications for the AI & Tech Ecosystems domain, particularly in the areas of online safety and regulation. The incident raises questions about the role of social media in shaping public discourse and the limits of free speech. Companies such as Twitter, Facebook, and Google must develop more effective strategies for detecting and preventing online harassment, as well as providing greater support for victims of online abuse.

The incident also highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the philanthropic sector. Delo's £350,000 loan to Power has been criticized as a conflict of interest, given his close ties to Reform UK and Power's own online activities. This incident underscores the importance of rigorous vetting and due diligence when it comes to philanthropic donations, particularly when they involve high-profile individuals or organizations. By promoting greater transparency and accountability, we can build trust in the philanthropic sector and ensure that donations are used effectively to address pressing social issues.

The incident surrounding Power and Delo is part of a larger pattern of controversy and criticism in the AI & Tech Ecosystems domain. Recent years have seen a growing recognition of the need for greater accountability and regulation of online behavior, particularly when it involves public figures and institutions. The rise of social media has created new challenges and opportunities for online engagement, but it has also raised concerns about the spread of misinformation, hate speech, and online harassment.