Police are currently investigating donations amounting to £500,000 received by Reform UK from the mother of a convicted fraudster.
Detectives are looking into two separate payments of £250,000 each made by Fiona Cottrell, whose son George is closely associated with Nigel Farage. The investigation aims to determine if the origin of the money was concealed and if it potentially came from ineligible sources such as individuals not registered to vote in the UK or foreign-based companies. Political parties are mandated by law to reject donations from such entities.
According to data from the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Cottrell, aged 67, made these donations to Reform UK in anticipation of the general election, with the payments recorded on May 9 and 29, 2024. These donations marked her first foray into political contributions, following a previous donation of £250,000 the year before.
The Electoral Commission alerted the police to this matter, leading to an investigation by the Metropolitan Police. The police statement confirmed an ongoing inquiry into potential violations under section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. The authorities have sought guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service, and two individuals have been interviewed under caution, although no arrests have been made.
The legislation under scrutiny prohibits the concealment or misrepresentation of the true source behind political donations. The Metropolitan Police Service issued a statement confirming the ongoing investigation, with no further comments provided by the Electoral Commission.
Media reports indicate that Mrs. Cottrell, who had a brief connection with King Charles in the 1970s, identified herself as a “retired stylist” in a legal document from 2023. Her late husband’s estate was reportedly valued at around £1.5 million, raising questions about the origins of the funds she directed to Reform UK.
Additionally, it was revealed that in 2024, she contributed £1 million to Reform’s fundraising initiative, Britain Means Business, managed by Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK. Concerns were raised by the National Crime Agency regarding the source of these funds, questioning if Mrs. Cotterell was the legitimate donor.
Richard Tice expressed surprise at the revelation of the police investigation into the donations, attributing the situation to a politically motivated smear campaign. He emphasized the need for transparency and denied any wrongdoing.
The investigation coincides with recent scrutiny facing Nigel Farage over his failure to disclose financial benefits received from George Cottrell, who had aided him before his parliamentary tenure. George Cottrell, known as “Posh George,” was previously convicted of criminal activities related to money laundering.
Farage faces separate allegations related to a £5 million ‘gift’ from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, which he allegedly failed to declare. These controversies have added complexity to Farage’s political trajectory, including his decision to step down as an MP and face a by-election challenge.
Labour’s Anna Turley criticized Farage’s actions, calling for clarity on the financial connections between Farage, Cottrell, and the donations to Reform UK. The ongoing investigations and scrutiny surrounding these financial transactions continue to raise questions about political transparency and accountability.
Mrs. Cottrell declined to comment on the matter when approached by media outlets, while Reform UK has been contacted for further details.