An international businessman whose company gave the Liberal Democrats more than £2 million has gone on the run just weeks before going on trial for fraud.
Michael Brown, 42, was due to stand trial in September accused of a string of fraud and money laundering offences.
But a judge at Southwark Crown Court issued an arrest warrant after he breached his bail conditions.
A City of London Police spokeswoman said: "A judge at Southwark Crown Court issued an arrest warrant today for Michael Brown. Brown, 42, is due to stand trial on September 8 charged with 18 offences and has failed to comply with his bail conditions.
"Efforts are being made to contact him. He is charged with money laundering, theft, perverting the course of justice and other fraud-related offences. A further hearing on the case has been listed for August 11."
Brown was at the centre of controversy after it emerged he bankrolled the Lib Dems' last general election campaign despite not being registered to vote.
The Glasgow-born businessman, who also lives in Hampstead, north-west London, formally denied all the charges during a hearing in June.
The theft charges are believed to relate to the tax exile's trading company 5th Avenue Partners. Other counts are linked to claims criminal assets were transferred via Spanish bank and HSBC accounts.
Brown was the subject of an Electoral Commission investigation after it emerged he was not registered to vote in the UK, despite his massive political donations.
The watchdog found later that the party could accept the cash from his UK-based company 5th Avenue Partners.
