skip to main content

Englishman who donated £1.5m to Sinn Féin buried in Belfast

The contribution is the largest donation given to a political party in Northern Ireland
The contribution is the largest donation given to a political party in Northern Ireland

The Englishman who left £1.5m to Sinn Féin had his ashes buried in west Belfast, it has emerged.

Sinn Féin received the windfall in the will of a party supporter living in Wales.

The gift was made by William E Hampton and paid in two instalments of £1m and £500,000 in April and May.

The contribution is the largest donation given to a political party in Northern Ireland.

Mr Hampton, who was not married and had no children, left some money to friends and acquaintances, but Sinn Féin was the main beneficiary of the will.

It is understood that he spent some time living in Ireland and was a long-time supporter of the party before his death on 11 January 2018 at his home in Pembrokeshire, Wales, at the age of 82.

Mr Hampton's headstone is in Hannahstown Cemetery, as reported by the Irish News.

It reads: "True friend of Ireland. Remembered by his friends and comrades in Sinn Féin."

It's understood an interment ceremony took place last year and was attended by senior members of the party.

Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister has written to the National Crime Agency, asking for the donation to be investigated.