Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, received significant support, including staff, security, and housing, from George Cottrell, an individual convicted of fraud, according to a report by The Sunday Times. Reform UK has stated that Farage broke no rules by failing to declare this support before he became a Member of Parliament.
The support from Cottrell was available for over a year. The details emerged from an investigation by journalists who spoke about their findings, including information about Cottrell's background and the relevant regulations. The report highlighted that the support provided was substantial and came from a person with a criminal conviction for fraud.
The party's stance is that Farage was not subject to parliamentary rules regarding the declaration of such support at the time it was received, as he had not yet formally taken his seat as an MP. This distinction is central to Reform UK's defense against any allegations of impropriety.