Ministers urged to impose temporary ban on crypto political donations

National security committee warns until tougher safeguards are in place, UK elections dangerously exposed to covert foreign money

Political donations in cryptocurrency should be subject to an urgent temporary ban to stop foreign interference in British elections, the chair of the national security committee has said.

Matt Western, who leads the committee of MPs and peers, said a moratorium was needed until the risks of donations in cryptocurrency have been dealt with – including adequate checks on the source of the money.