Reform uk under scrutiny: police probe £1m donation trail
A full-scale investigation by the Metropolitan Police is now underway, examining a complex network of payments linked to Reform UK and its deputy leader, Richard Tice. The inquiry’s focus is squarely on a £1 million transfer from Fiona Cottrell, a figure with significant ties to the party, and subsequent donations totaling £250,000.
A web of connections and suspicion
Initial findings, stemming from a Guardian exposé, revealed that Fiona Cottrell’s son, George – a convicted fraudster – is closely associated with Reform’s leader, Nigel Farage. The Electoral Commission flagged the initial transfer from Cottrell to Britain Means Business, a company controlled by Tice, citing suspicious activity. Bankers alerted the National Crime Agency (NCA) to the unusual flow of funds – a transaction that ultimately yielded just half the initial £1 million for the party.
Detectives from the Met’s Special Enquiry Team have already interviewed both Cottrell and her son under caution. But the probe extends beyond that, scrutinizing two separate donations of £250,000 made directly by Britain Means Business to Reform UK in May 2024. Tice himself, elected to Parliament following the recent general election, maintains that his company adhered strictly to Electoral Commission guidelines – a claim Reform UK is vehemently defending.
However, the NCA has been unable to trace the origin of the original £1 million transfer, relying on assistance from an international partner. The situation has been characterized by Reform UK’s spokesperson as an ‘establishment stitch-up,’ a pointed accusation suggesting a politically motivated attempt to undermine the party. Despite repeated attempts, Fiona Cottrell has not responded to the Guardian’s inquiries regarding her involvement.
The Metropolitan Police, in a statement released Saturday evening, confirmed the investigation, initiated in February 2025, following a referral from the Electoral Commission. They are pursuing offences under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, and while no arrests have been made, the investigation remains active. The sheer opacity surrounding the funding remains deeply concerning.
It’s a troubling development, particularly given the timing of these transactions in the lead-up to the 2024 general election. The meticulous examination by the Met raises serious questions about the source of Reform UK’s finances and the potential for illicit activity. The bottom line? The party’s claims of rigorous vetting are currently under intense scrutiny.