Tory donor and former Newcastle United owner Sir John Hall endorses Reform UK

Former Newcastle United owner and long-time Conservative donor Sir John Hall is endorsing Reform UK.

The 91-year-old was a surprise guest at a rally with Reform leader Nigel Farage at the Rainton Arena in Houghton le Spring on Thursday 27 June.

Sir John told ITV Tyne Tees that the Tories “are not representing my views” and Reform will “fight for my English rights and customs”.

He added that he "doesn’t join parties, but will donate to Reform".

Sir John Hall told Political Correspondent Harry Horton he was "not prepared to compromise on my English culture"

Sir John has donated more than £500,000 to the Tories and helped fund Theresa May’s 2017 election.

“I’m a disillusioned Conservative,” he explained, adding: “I just feel in these latter years, they’ve let me down.”

In a statement released by Reform, Sir John added: “I supported both personally and financially the Conservative Party in the North East for decades but now I see the only party, and the only politician, to have the interests of Great Britain at its heart is Reform UK and Nigel Farage.”

Reform said Sir John has made a “substantial donation” to the party’s campaign but he did not divulge the amount he had given.

Sir John was a long-time supporter of Margaret Thatcher, who visited the MetroCentre when it opened in 1986.

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