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Some 35 of the richest 100 people in Britain have donated £19 million to the Tories, it was revealed today.

More than a third of the Sunday Times Rich List, published today, are Conservative donors, according to a Labour party analysis.

The wealthy backers, who include property moguls, financiers and retail CEOs, have a combined net worth of more than £123 million.

Since last year’s election, three of the richest 100 people in Britain have given the Tories more than £180,000.

JCB boss Lord Bamford and his family have given the party almost £115,000 since last May, and more than £7.7 million since 2001.

(Image: Birmingham Post And Mail)

Tetra Pak billionaire Hans Rausing and his family have donated more than £1.2 million.

Ukrainian-born investment mogul Len Blavatnik, who ranks second on the Rich List, has given more than £150,000 to the party.

The list includes Richard Branson's Virgin Group companies, who have given the Tories more than £70,000 worth of non-cash donations since 2001.

A Virgin Management spokesperson said: “Sir Richard Branson avoids party politics and has never given a personal donation to any political party. This 'donation' represents Virgin Atlantic flights and flight upgrades given to the Conservative party since 2001. Flights and flight upgrades have been given to all three main political parties, including the Labour Party and many were to support important charity work in countries such as Kenya.”

(Image: PA)

The Reuben Brothers, who jointly held the top spot in last year’s list, but have slipped to third place this time around, sent the Tories four grand between 2001 and 2015.

It comes after Theresa May promised last year that her government would not be driven “by the interests of the rich and powerful.”

(Image: REUTERS)

And in 2007, she warned Tories they needed to wean themselves off their “dependency” on large donors.

Labour’s Andrew Gwynne said: “Today’s Rich List reads like a who’s who of Tory donors; a damning indictment of Theresa May’s rhetoric of a ‘country that works for everyone’.

“That so many of the top 100 have donated so much to the Tories, shows you that they really are the party of and for a privileged few, not the many.

“While the Tories have been going cap in hand to the country’s wealthiest tycoons, they have slashed taxes for those at the very top and raised taxes for working people.

“Working people deserve better than Tory failure. Only a Labour Government will stand up for you and your families.”

Update: This article previously reported Richard Branson had given £70,000 to the Conservative Party. We are happy to clarify these were non-cash donations made by companies within the Virgin Group.