Investigation into Reform UK’s funding practices intensifies
George Cottrell reportedly transferred more than $2 million to his mother days before she donated money to Reform UK, reports BritPanorama.
The financial activities of the party have attracted heightened media scrutiny in recent weeks, leading the Metropolitan Police to investigate potential circumventions of regulations regarding political funding sources.
The Guardian reported that Fiona Cottrell, Mr. Cottrell’s mother, received considerable sums, part of which subsequently flowed to the political party. She is believed to have received one deposit of $1.4 million, along with two additional payments exceeding $300,000 each.
Ms. Cottrell allegedly informed bankers that the source of the money was her son when questioned about these deposits. Notably, she received these funds approximately 24 to 72 hours before making a donation to either Reform UK directly or through the company Britain Means Business, according to The Guardian.
The investigation by the Metropolitan Police focuses on donations received by Reform UK from Britain Means Business, a fundraising entity directed by the party’s deputy leader, Richard Tice. Previously, The Times reported that this firm contributed two donations of £250,000 to Reform in the lead-up to the 2024 general election.
It has been reported that Ms. Cottrell contributed £1 million to Britain Means Business in June 2024, with half of that amount subsequently directed to Reform UK.
Mr. Cottrell, a convicted criminal, previously provided funding for Nigel Farage’s security and staffing in the lead-up to his election. In response to the inquiry, a spokesperson for Reform UK stated, “Reform takes pride in its stringent vetting of donations and always ensures that the Electoral Commission guidelines on donations, as set out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, are strictly followed, as has been the case with all donations.”
Richard Tice has defended his relationship with the Cottrell family, asserting, “My family have known the Cottrell family and the broader Hesketh family for 50 years. A very successful aristocratic family, and as far as I’m concerned, she’s a permissible donor and that’s the end of it.”
Over the weekend, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that an investigation commenced in February 2025, following a referral from the Electoral Commission regarding donations made to a political party ahead of the 2024 UK general election.
The spokesperson added, “Detectives from the Met’s Special Enquiry Team are investigating alleged offences under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Early investigative advice has been sought from the Crown Prosecution Service, and two individuals have been interviewed under caution, with no arrests made as yet. An offence under this section is not one that the Electoral Commission can investigate and, as such, it is a matter for the police.”
Bridget Phillipson, chairwoman of the Labour Party, has called on Reform UK leaders to clarify their funding sources, urging them to “stop ducking questions and come clean about who’s bankrolling the party.”
