Detectives are currently looking into donations made to Reform UK that allegedly came from a company under the control of Richard Tice.
The Metropolitan Police is reportedly investigating two donations amounting to £500,000 from Britain Means Business in 2024. These funds were said to have been contributed to the company 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 money. Fiona Cottrell reportedly provided £1 million to Britain Means Business in June 2024, with half of that amount subsequently going to Reform.
Recent reports indicated that the Metropolitan Police had initiated investigations into two separate donations totaling £500,000 directly to Reform UK from Fiona Cottrell. Authorities are examining whether the donations may have come from sources that are not permitted, such as individuals ineligible to vote in the UK or overseas companies. Political parties are mandated by law to reject contributions from such entities.
Records from the Electoral Commission reveal that the two donations of £250,000 each were given to Reform by the company within a two-day span. The Metropolitan Police, without specifically naming Reform UK as the recipient, stated that an inquiry was launched in February 2025 following a referral by the Electoral Commission concerning donations made to a political party before the 2024 UK general election.
The investigation is centered around alleged violations under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections, and Referendums Act 2000. The police have sought early guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service, with two individuals having been interviewed under caution so far, although no arrests have been made.
According to the legislation referenced, failing to disclose the source of a political contribution is considered an offense. The Metropolitan Police emphasized that such offenses fall under their jurisdiction rather than that of the Electoral Commission.
Reports emerged that Reform UK faced a temporary freeze on its bank account shortly before the general election, preventing the party from conducting transactions for two weeks while compliance checks were conducted as reported by The Sunday Times.
A spokesperson for the Labour Party raised concerns over the series of allegations and donation controversies surrounding Reform UK. Richard Tice, the party leader, was urged not to dismiss the developments as part of a smear campaign, highlighting the seriousness of investigations by the police into substantial donations and the freezing of Reform’s bank account due to suspected irregular activities.
Companies House records indicate that Richard Tice has served as an officer for Britain Means Business, formerly known as Leave Means Leave, since 2017.
In response to the reports, the deputy leader of Reform UK, Richard Tice, expressed surprise and questioned why the Metropolitan Police chose to inform the media before engaging with relevant parties. He raised concerns about potential politically motivated attacks against Reform and its leadership.
A spokesperson for Reform UK emphasized the party’s rigorous scrutiny of donations, ensuring strict adherence to Electoral Commission guidelines outlined in the Political Parties, Elections, and Referendums Act 2000 for all contributions received.
Recent investigations revealed that Fiona Cottrell, who reportedly had a brief relationship with a member of the royal family in the 1970s, described herself as a retired stylist in a legal document from 2023. Her late husband’s estate was valued at approximately £1.5 million, but it remains unclear how she amassed the funds directed to Reform.
Reports suggested that the National Crime Agency doubted Fiona Cottrell was the original source of the funds. George Cottrell, known as “Posh George,” managed to avoid a lengthy prison sentence in the US through a plea deal after being charged with wire fraud. Operating under the alias “Bill,” he offered to facilitate the transfer of illicit proceeds, including drug money, through the dark web.
