Crypto gambler George Cottrell allegedly transferred more than $2 million to his mother in the days preceding her donations to Reform UK and a business associated with the party, according to reports. The Metropolitan Police are reportedly investigating potential attempts to obscure the source of donations made to the party in the lead-up to the last general election.
Cottrell, known as 'Posh George,' is reportedly close to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has described him as being "like a son." Cottrell, who has a US fraud conviction and currently resides in Montenegro, is said to have funded Farage's security during 2024. His lawyers maintain he is a permissible donor in the UK despite living abroad.
According to reports, Fiona Cottrell, George Cottrell's mother, made two donations totaling £500,000 to Reform UK in May 2024. These contributions reportedly followed days after her son transferred sums of $318,878 and $328,815 to her. Fiona Cottrell also reportedly provided over £1 million to Britain Means Business, a company controlled by Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice, in June 2024. Tice subsequently donated half of this sum to Reform UK, with no indication at the time that the funds originated from Fiona Cottrell.
Further reports indicate that George Cottrell transferred $1.4 million to his mother shortly before her donation to Britain Means Business. The large sums are said to have been moved through US-based cryptocurrency exchanges. When questioned by banking authorities, Fiona Cottrell reportedly stated that the money came from her son.
Separately, Nigel Farage is currently under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner for failing to declare a £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. Reform UK did not respond to requests for comment on the allegations regarding Cottrell's donations.