Reform UK's bank account was frozen during a recent election due to concerns over potentially illegal donations received from the mother of a convicted criminal. Police are investigating payments made by Fiona Cottrell, mother of businessman George Cottrell, who had previously provided secret funding to Nigel Farage.
During a two-week period that included the July 4 polling day two years ago, the party was unable to conduct transactions through its account with Arbuthnot Latham. The private London bank cited 'compliance checks' when asked for an explanation by the party, according to a report in the Sunday Times. These checks were initiated after bankers filed suspicious activity reports to the National Crime Agency regarding approximately £1 million in donations from Ms. Cottrell. Described as a 'retired stylist,' Ms. Cottrell reportedly donated £500,000 directly to Reform UK and an additional £1 million to a firm owned by deputy leader Richard Tice, which then transferred half of that sum to the party.
Police opened an investigation into these payments in February of last year. Officers are reportedly examining whether Ms. Cottrell disguised the source of the funds. This development follows earlier revelations that George Cottrell had secretly financed Nigel Farage's staff, security, and accommodation expenses in the lead-up to the last election. Mr. Farage has stated he did not disclose these gifts, asserting he was not obligated to do so as he was not a Member of Parliament at the time. Parliamentary rules typically require MPs to register any 'benefit' received within the 12 months preceding their election.
Mr. Cottrell, who was previously jailed in the United States in 2017 for a money laundering conspiracy, also reportedly paid an associate of Donald Trump as he sought a presidential pardon. He sent funds to Mark Brnovich, the former attorney-general of Arizona, where Mr. Cottrell was convicted. Mr. Brnovich, who accepted thousands of dollars from Mr. Cottrell for 'legal advice,' was later nominated for an ambassadorship by Mr. Trump. Mr. Brnovich died in January. Mr. Cottrell remains in contact with Mr. Brnovich's wife, Susan, a federal judge appointed by Mr. Trump, who is reportedly on the court that may review his case. Mr. Cottrell is also reported to display text messages between Mr. Trump and Mr. Brnovich at his residence in Montenegro, where he is a tax resident.
Arbuthnot Latham declined to comment on the account freeze. Reform UK stated that the reports are part of a series of 'smear stories' and that many are factually inaccurate. Mr. Cottrell described Judge Brnovich as a 'personal friend' and denied any connection between her social visit and his pardon application.