Graffiti artist Banksy’s secret identity caused some problems for Labour’s accountants, after he donated a piece of art to raise funds for the party. The art piece, Sketch for Essex Road, was the main attraction at a private fundraising auction at a gallery and raised £195,000. The art piece is a canvas depicting two children pledging allegiance to a Tesco carrier bag hoisted on a flagpole.

But because Banksy’s identity is unknown and doesn’t appear on the electoral register, Labour party rules mean his donation couldn’t be accepted in full.
Banksy, whose stencilled artwork appears in public places around the world, has never confirmed his identity - despite newspaper reports claiming to have unmasked him.

After discussions with the Electoral Commission, Labour decided to accept a cheque from Steve Lazarides, a gallery owner who deals in Banksy works, for £121,600 of the £195,000 he paid for the piece.

The reasoning was that by not accepting the £75,000 the piece had been valued at, they were effectively writing off the value of Banksy’s donation, which they could not accept.

Judging by the latest news on Banksy’s identity, being a from a private school, wouldn’t you have thought he would be a Tory supporter?