Detectives are currently looking into donations made to Reform UK from a company under Richard Tice’s control. The Metropolitan Police is investigating two separate donations amounting to £500,000 from Britain Means Business in 2024. These funds were reportedly transferred by Fiona Cottrell, the mother of George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster closely associated with Nigel Farage.
The donations were brought to the attention of the police by the Electoral Commission due to concerns regarding the origin of the funds. Mrs. Cottrell allegedly contributed £1 million to Britain Means Business in June 2024, with half of this sum subsequently channeled to Reform.
Recent reports indicated that the Met Police is scrutinizing two direct donations totaling £500,000 to Reform UK from Mrs. Cottrell. Authorities are examining if the money originated from sources not allowed under UK electoral law, such as unregistered voters or overseas companies. Political organizations are mandated to reject donations from such sources.
Official records from the Electoral Commission reveal that two donations of £250,000 each were made to Reform by the company within a two-day span. The Metropolitan Police, without specifying Reform UK as the recipient, stated that an investigation was initiated following a referral by the Electoral Commission regarding donations to a political party before the 2024 UK general election.
The investigation is focused on potential breaches of Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. The Metropolitan Police sought early guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service, with two individuals interviewed under caution thus far and no arrests made.
The legislation in question prohibits concealing the origin of political donations. The Met Police clarified that such offenses fall under police jurisdiction rather than the Electoral Commission’s purview.
Reform UK encountered a temporary freeze on its bank account prior to the general election, as reported by The Sunday Times. Allegations of impropriety and donation controversies continue to mount against the party, drawing criticism from a Labour Party spokesperson.
Richard Tice, reacting to the reports, expressed surprise at the news and questioned the timing of the police briefing to the media before informing relevant parties. A spokesperson for Reform UK emphasized the party’s rigorous donation vetting process in compliance with Electoral Commission guidelines.
Notably, Companies House records indicate that Richard Tice has held a position with Britain Means Business since 2017. The involvement of Mrs. Cottrell, who had a past connection to King Charles III, in the donation controversy remains under scrutiny, with questions raised about the source of her substantial funds.
The National Crime Agency reportedly doubted Mrs. Cottrell’s claim as the original source of the funds, given her son’s criminal history and dubious activities. George Cottrell, known as “Posh George,” narrowly avoided a lengthy prison sentence in the US by agreeing to a plea deal for wire fraud charges. He had posed as “Bill,” offering illegal money-moving services on the dark web.
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