Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and party chairman Richard Tice are suing the National Crime Agency (NCA) over allegations that the agency leaked confidential financial information to the media. The two politicians claim the NCA committed multiple criminal offenses and are seeking an apology and damages.

Richard Tice stated that individual bank statements, bank transfers, and details of conversations with bank managers were leaked. He previously wrote to the NCA to inquire about their responsibility for the leaks, which followed media reports about payments made to his company, Britain Means Business, by the mother of convicted fraudster George Cottrell. These payments were flagged to the NCA as part of its suspicious activity reports (SARs) program, designed to alert law enforcement to potential money laundering.

Tice told Talk TV that he only became aware of the issue when contacted by The Guardian newspaper. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the NCA's internal investigation, stating it appeared to be delaying action. A spokesperson for Reform UK confirmed that claims have been filed at the High Court.

An NCA spokesperson acknowledged the ongoing investigation by its Professional Standards Unit into complaints brought by Tice and Farage, but declined to comment further. "It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time," the spokesperson said.

Reports indicate that Tice's company, Tisun Investment, received an £80,000 loan from George Cottrell in late 2024. In the same year, Britain Means Business received a £1 million donation from Cottrell's mother. Data from the Electoral Commission shows that Britain Means Business subsequently donated £500,000 to Reform UK.

The relationship between Cottrell and Reform UK has faced scrutiny in recent months. The Sunday Times reported that Cottrell provided support to Farage, including security and social media staff, in the year prior to Farage becoming a Member of Parliament. Reform UK has argued that Farage did not breach parliamentary guidelines by not declaring this support because it was provided in a