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The Metropolitan Police are conducting an investigation into donations totaling at least £500,000 made to Reform UK by Fiona Cottrell, the mother of convicted fraudster George Cottrell, who financially supported Nigel Farage’s social media team and security. This inquiry has reportedly been ongoing for over a year, according to The Times. Police officials have confirmed that while two individuals have been questioned under caution, no arrests have yet been made and the probe into the party’s donations remains active.
The investigation focuses on allegations that donations may have been concealed or disguised, potentially originating from an “impermissible” donor. It also examines whether false information was provided regarding the amounts or identities of donors. The specific payments under scrutiny were two donations of £250,000 each, given by Fiona Cottrell to Reform UK shortly before the 2024 general election. These donations appeared in the party’s official accounts on May 9 and May 29, 2024. Party insiders have indicated that no Reform UK officials have been interviewed during the police inquiry.
Fiona Cottrell, who describes herself as a “retired stylist,” was reportedly the widow of Mark Cottrell, who passed away in 2023 leaving an estate valued at £1.5 million. Her son, George Cottrell, played a significant financial role for Nigel Farage, having funded staff and security prior to the 2024 election. George, a long-time political ally of Farage, previously pleaded guilty to fraud charges in the United States and served eight months in jail before returning to the UK. He later moved to Montenegro and became involved with Tether.bet, an online bookmaker and casino operating in cash and cryptocurrency.
The concept of “permissible” donors, established by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, restricts political parties to accepting funds only from individuals registered on the electoral roll or UK-registered companies, thereby prohibiting foreign contributions. Meanwhile, other concerns have surfaced regarding Nigel Farage’s finances, including a parliamentary standards investigation into a £5 million undeclared payment he received from Reform donor Christopher Harborne. Farage maintains that the money was a personal gift and did not need to be declared. In response to ongoing scrutiny, Farage resigned as MP for Clacton to prompt a by-election he characterized as a “people versus the establishment” contest. Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice, who has known the Cottrell family for decades, dismissed the allegations as a politically motivated smear campaign
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