Concern that Musk likely meddling in UK politics

Concerns are growing in the UK as tech billionaire Elon Musk takes an increasingly close interest in Britain's political scene, appearing to cosy up to hard-right firebrand lawmaker Nigel Farage.

With Mr Musk named to a new position in the incoming US administration of Donald Trump, there are fears that he could seek to influence London's future ties with Washington.

On Dec 18, Mr Farage, who leads the upstart anti-immigration Reform UK party, said he was in talks with Mr Musk about making a donation to his party.

Writing in the Telegraph newspaper, Mr Farage said "the issue of money was discussed" when he met the X owner at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Dec 16.

"There will be ongoing negotiations on that score," the arch-Eurosceptic wrote, in comments that will likely unnerve the ruling Labour Party and main Conservative opposition.

Newspaper reports have suggested that Mr Musk is preparing to donate up to US$100 million (S$136 million) to Reform, but Mr Farage told the BBC that the pair did not discuss figures.

Mr Musk "described the Labour and Conservative parties as the uniparty, and left us in no doubt that he is right behind us", Mr Farage added.

Mr Farage said they would have to find a way to ensure that any donation from Mr Musk was made "legally through UK companies" but the idea, which emerged a few weeks ago, has already sent shivers down the spines of British lawmakers.