Police are investigating donations totaling £500,000 made by a company owned by Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice to the political party in the run-up to the 2024 general election. The inquiry follows reports alleging that Tice's mother, Fiona Cottrell, made these donations after allegedly receiving funds from her son, George Cottrell.
George Cottrell, a close political and personal associate of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, has been at the center of recent political controversy. The Sunday Times reported that he supported Farage by covering costs for staff and security prior to the 2024 election, costs that were allegedly not declared once Farage became a Member of Parliament. Farage has since resigned as an MP and is currently standing for re-election in the Clacton constituency.
Farage has maintained that any funds provided to him before his election were in a personal capacity and did not require declaration. Lawyers representing George Cottrell have stated that he disputes the allegations made by The Sunday Times and that the reporting does not accurately reflect what was communicated to the publication.
When questioned by The Sunday Times about whether George Cottrell had transferred money to his mother before she made donations to Reform UK, his legal representatives at Carter Ruck responded, "Our client has confirmed his instructions that any donations by his mother have been entirely her own decision."
Nigel Farage, speaking at a rally in Norfolk, stated he had "absolutely no idea" if George Cottrell had provided funds to his mother for onward donation to the party. "What's it got to do with me how families sort out their finances?" Farage asked. "If the money was hers legally and she gave the donation, I don't see what the problem is."
Richard Tice is the sole owner and controller of Britain Means Business, the entity that made the two £250,000 donations. The organization was originally established in August 2017 under the name Leave Means Leave by Tice and John Longworth, a former leader of the British Chambers of Commerce and a prominent Brexit campaigner. Longworth departed from Leave Means Leave in January 2020, the same month the UK officially left the European Union. Tice subsequently changed the organization's name to Britain Means Business a few months later.