Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice has formally requested the National Crime Agency (NCA) investigate whether the agency is responsible for leaking his private financial information to the media. Tice stated he became aware that payments made to his organizations had been flagged to the NCA as part of its Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) program only after being contacted by The Guardian newspaper.
Reform UK believes the information reported by The Guardian likely originated from the NCA. A spokesperson for the NCA stated, "The NCA does not confirm or deny the receipt of suspicious activity reports (SARs), nor comment on how any SAR is used." The spokesperson added, "SARs are confidential and breaching that confidentiality risks committing a tipping off offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act."
The NCA was notified about the payments as part of the SARs program, which alerts law enforcement to potential instances of money laundering. In the 2024/25 fiscal year, 866,616 cases were flagged through this program. It is understood that the NCA often makes information from SARs reports available to police forces and other organizations involved in their investigations.
Reports indicate that Tice's company, Tisun Investment, received a loan of £80,000 in late 2024 from George Cottrell, an associate of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Additionally, a think tank owned by Tice, Britain Means Business, reportedly received a £1 million donation from Cottrell's mother, Fiona, in June 2024. Data from the Electoral Commission shows that Britain Means Business subsequently donated £500,000 to Reform UK in the same month.
George Cottrell has been a subject of political discussion following reports that he provided support to Nigel Farage, including security and social media staffing, in the year preceding Farage's election as a Member of Parliament. Under parliamentary rules, MPs are required to declare gifts or benefits received within the 12 months before their election that are related to their "parliamentary or political activities." However, an exemption exists for gifts and benefits deemed "purely personal."