Some of the legal bills of the Liberal Democrats’ disgraced millionaire donor have been paid by a couple who together were the second most generous donors to the party in the last general election.

Paul and Evelyn Strasburger, who have donated £207,500 to the Lib Dems since January 2005, are helping Michael Brown in his legal battle, according to friends. Brown is facing growing costs as he fights a civil case against his bank HSBC as well as a possible criminal trial after police investigations in Britain and Spain.

The disclosure will intrigue observers of the case who have wondered how Brown, who has had his assets frozen by HSBC, has paid mounting costs. Mr Strasburger, 60, has attended court with Brown’s solicitors and has known Brown since at least 2005, according to mutual friends.

Mr Strasburger is the director of three property companies based in Bath, according to Companies House documents, but is best known in business circles for being the founder of Safe Estates, a company that provides electronic and physical security to unoccupied buildings across Britain.

He has given £107,500 to the Lib Dems, according to the Electoral Commission website. He gave £50,000 in January 2005, another £7,500 in June last year and another £50,000 in November.

Mrs Strasburger, 45, born Sally Evelyn Holland, gave £50,000 before the general election and another £50,000 in November.

The couple, with a joint donation of £100,000, were together the second biggest donors to the party in the months preceding the general election. Their donation was, however, overshadowed by Brown’s £2.4 million donation from his company 5th Avenue Partners Ltd.

The couple are known for their generosity. Mrs Strasburger is a sponsor of the Bath Festivals Trust and her husband is the president of White Waltham Cricket Club and has contributed to coaching schemes.

Mr and Mrs Strasburger were approached by The Times, but both declined to comment.

Times Recommends

• Forces chief faces new battle - the economy
• Seven days that shook the world
• Icelanders wake up and smell ... the fish