Prominent individuals and funds in the City of London donated more than £668,000 (€975,000) to the Conservative party in the first three months this year, contributing to a record first quarter for the UK opposition party.

Sir Martyn Arbib, founder of UK retail fund manager Invesco Perpetual, and Stanley Fink, chief executive of listed hedge fund Man Group, made their largest donations in the past six years to the party, giving at least £100,000 each, according to figures registered with the Electoral Commission.