Met Police launch criminal investigation into £500,000 of Reform UK donations from fraudster’s mother

The criminal inquiry

Scotland Yard has been examining donations worth £500,000 made to Reform UK before the 2024 general election for more than a year. The Metropolitan Police launched a criminal investigation in February 2025 after a referral from the Electoral Commission. The probe concerns two payments of £250,000 made by Fiona Cottrell, whose son George is a convicted fraudster and long-standing ally of Nigel Farage. The first donation appeared in the party's Electoral Commission records on 9 May 2024. The second followed on 29 May, just over a month before polling day.

The Met confirmed that detectives from its Special Enquiry Team are investigating alleged offences under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. That section makes it an offence to conceal or disguise the person or entity making a political donation, or to use false information about a donation including the amount or the identity of the donor. A spokeswoman said early investigative advice has been sought from the Crown Prosecution Service and two people have so far been interviewed under caution. No arrests have been made.

The Cottrell connection

George Cottrell pleaded guilty to fraud in the United States and served eight months in prison before his release in 2017. He has often accompanied Farage to Reform events and media appearances. The Sunday Times reported at the weekend that George Cottrell had supported the Reform UK leader by paying for staff and security before the election, but these benefits were not declared once Farage became an MP.

Lawyers for George Cottrell said he "categorically disputes allegations and assertions made by the Sunday Times" in relation to his financial help for Farage. The Reform leader has denied any wrongdoing on his part. Fiona Cottrell refused to comment about the donations currently under police investigation, the Times reported.

Separate financial scrutiny

A separate transfer of around £1 million made by Fiona Cottrell in June 2024 has drawn attention from financial authorities. The funds were deposited into Britain Means Business, a company run by Reform deputy leader Richard Tice, and were reported to the National Crime Agency by bankers. According to financial industry sources cited by the Guardian, bankers and the NCA have been unable to trace the origin of the £1 million given to Tice’s company. Around £500,000 of that sum was moved into Reform’s coffers weeks ahead of the general election.

The Guardian also suggested on Wednesday that bankers had raised concerns to the NCA through suspicious activity reports about at least four transactions involving senior Reform leaders. Separately, the party faces questions over an undisclosed gift of £5 million to Farage from cryptocurrency entrepreneur Christopher Harborne.

Political pressure mounts

Labour has said Reform faces "legitimate questions" over the reported donation probe. The controversy comes as Farage prepares to fight a byelection boycotted by the other parties after he stood down in his Clacton constituency this week. Farage was elected to the Commons for the first time at the 2024 general election, the same election the disputed May donations preceded.

The investigation adds to broader scrutiny of Reform UK's finances as the party tries to consolidate its position in Westminster. The Met has confirmed that an offence under Section 61 is not one the Electoral Commission can investigate itself, which prompted the referral to the police.