Police are investigating donations totaling £500,000 made to Reform UK by Fiona Cottrell, the mother of convicted fraudster George Cottrell, a close ally of Nigel Farage. Detectives are examining two payments of £250,000 each, registered with the Electoral Commission on May 9 and May 29, 2024, to determine if the true source of the money was concealed or if it came from an impermissible donor, such as someone not registered to vote in the UK or an overseas company.
Investigation Details
The Metropolitan Police’s Special Enquiry Team launched the investigation in February 2025 after a referral from the Electoral Commission. A statement from the Met said: "An investigation was launched in February 2025 after a referral was made to the Metropolitan police by the Electoral Commission relating to donations made to a political party ahead of the 2024 UK general election. Detectives ... are investigating alleged offences under section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. 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." Section 61 makes it an offence to conceal or disguise the person or entity behind a political donation.
Donations and Background
Fiona Cottrell, 67, described herself as a "retired stylist" in a 2023 legal document and briefly dated the future King Charles in the 1970s. Her late husband's estate was valued at around £1.5 million. In total, she has made three donations to Reform UK worth £750,000, plus a £1 million donation in 2024 to Britain Means Business, a Reform fundraising vehicle run by deputy leader Richard Tice. The National Crime Agency reportedly was not satisfied that Cottrell was the original source of the funds.
Political Reactions
Richard Tice told Times Radio: "No, that's absolutely the first time I've heard of this investigation. And isn't it a coincidence that it’s suddenly been leaked out the same week as all the stuff's come out of the National Crime Agency ... This is all a politically motivated smear campaign." Labour chair Anna Turley said: "Nigel Farage can run against a bin in his distraction by-election, but he can't hide from legitimate questions. Why did the mother of the convicted criminal who secretly bankrolled him donate half a million pounds to Reform UK? Where did the money come from?"
Broader Context
The investigation comes as Nigel Farage faces a separate probe by the standards commissioner over a £5 million 'gift' from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne that he did not declare. Farage has denied wrongdoing, saying in a speech: "It seems to me that the establishment have now decided that they can't beat us fairly, so they've chosen to use foul means." George Cottrell, known as "Posh George," served eight months in a US jail after pleading guilty to wire fraud in 2017, having initially been indicted on 21 offences including money laundering.
