Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has claimed he is the victim of an “establishment hit job” after it emerged that he received financial support in 2024 from George Cottrell, an aristocrat convicted of fraud in the United States. The revelation, published by The Sunday Times, has intensified scrutiny on Farage’s fundraising practices.
Who is George Cottrell?
George Cottrell, nicknamed “Posh George”, is a British aristocrat who was convicted in the US for fraud-related offences. His financial backing of Farage was used to fund social media staff and personal security for the Reform UK leader. The exact amount of the support has not been disclosed, but it has raised questions about the source of Farage’s campaign funds.
Previous Undeclared Gift Investigation
This development follows a separate controversy earlier in 2024, when The Guardian reported that Farage had failed to declare a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne. That donation was made shortly before Farage announced his intention to stand for parliament. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner is currently investigating whether Farage breached rules regarding the declaration of that gift.
Farage’s Response
Nigel Farage has consistently maintained that the money from Harborne was for personal use and that he has not violated any parliamentary rules. Regarding the Cottrell support, Farage has framed the scrutiny as a politically motivated attack. “This is an establishment hit job,” he said, according to reports. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner has not yet commented on the Cottrell matter, but the cumulative effect of these revelations may fuel further inquiries into Farage’s financial affairs.
