MEDIA mogul Richard Desmond is donating another £1 million to Ukip's election fighting fund.
The contribution was hailed by Ukip leader Nigel Farage who said that he hoped other wealthy backers would now follow his example.
The newspaper proprietor, who donated £300,000 to the party last year, said he believed the party would "stand up for people who are struggling".
News the Ukip windfall came as the Electoral Commission revealed that Labour received nearly four times more money in donations than the Conservatives in the first week of the formal election campaign.
Ed Miliband's party received £1,887,312 in donations, compared with the £501,850 given to David Cameron's party between Monday March 30 and Sunday April 5.
Donations to Ukip amounted to £35,416, outstripping the £20,000 given to the Lib Dems, while the Green Party received £8,400.
By law political parties must submit weekly donation and loan reports to the commission if they are fielding candidates in the UK General Election and have received donations or loans over £7,500. The Electoral Commission said no donations of over £7,500 had been given to the SNP, meaning they were not included in the figures.
The totals were released in the first of four donation reports that will be published prior to polling day on May 7.
Mr Desmond, who owns the Daily Express and Daily Star added: "I firmly believe in Ukip. It's a party for good, ordinary British people. It is not run by elitists. They are struggling to have a voice. They do not have a massive party machine or highly paid public relations people.
"They are human; they are not perfect and they do not pretend to be. But what they believe in is the best for the British people."
Unions accounted for more than £1.5 million of Labour's donations, with Unite the union giving £1,005,000, Unison £506,240, and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) £51,072.
Hairdressers appeared to welcome the prospect of cuts from both main parties, with John Frieda giving the Tories £20,000 and Toni & Guy donating £10,000 to Labour.
Most of the Conservative donations came from individuals, although JCB Research gave the party £70,000 and Progress Industries Ltd gave £20,000. The Tories received one donation from the appropriately named Michael Tory, amounting to £75,000.
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