UKIP is fourth richest party

The UK Independence Party's rapid emergence as a major force was underlined today when new figures showed it is now the fourth richest British political party.

The Electoral Commission revealed that the anti-EU party received £251,750 in the first three months of this year. The Conservatives were given £2,645,283, while Labour got £2,546,400 and the Liberal Democrats £947,262.

The news of large donations follows a poll putting the UKIP ahead of the Lib-Dems in the forthcoming Euro-elections. Former TV presenter Robert Kilroy-Silk is the party's candidate in the East Midlands-while actress Joan Collins is now its patron.

After the UKIP, the Scottish National Party received £115,069, the Greens £36,646 and the British National Party £26,014.

The Electoral Commission figures also show that Tory mayoral candidate Steve Norris has raised £455,000 this year, with £100,000 coming from Reading FC chairman John Madejski.

Ken Livingstone and Simon Hughes are not registered as individual-recipients and their donationsare included in their party's overall funding.

The bulk of Labour's donations came from trade unions, with large individual gifts from Europhile City financier Derek Tullett, who gave £100,000, and Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart who gave £50,000.

The Conservatives' largest backer was corporate financier George Magan, a regular donor, who gave £400,000.

Companies giving large sums to the Tories included Intercapital Private Group Ltd - owners of spread-betting operation City Index - which gave £200,000.