Nigel Farage allegedly struck a secret deal to return as leader of Reform UK months before he announced his candidacy, under an agreement negotiated with Richard Tice between March and April 2024. According to The Sunday Times, convicted fraudster George Cottrell was recruited to oversee the arrangement, which included Reform repaying or writing off more than £1 million in outstanding loans from Mr Tice's company.
Reform's treasurer at the time confirmed the deal was presented to him in May 2024, appearing to contradict Mr Farage's claim that he only decided to return to frontline politics in June 2024.
Undeclared gifts and the timeline
Mr Farage has used that timeline to defend his failure to declare a £5 million gift from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne and other benefits provided by Mr Cottrell. He has insisted he was only a media personality, not a politician, before June 3, when he announced his candidacy for the general election.
At the time, new MPs were required to register any gifts worth more than £300 received in the previous 12 months, unless the gift "could not be reasonably thought by others" to relate to their political activities. Mr Cottrell provided funding for Mr Farage's operation, including staffing, security and the use of a London townhouse, according to The Times. Mr Farage has denied that the Harborne gift was connected to his political activity, describing it as funding for personal security and a "reward" for his Brexit campaign.
Resignation and by-election vow
Mr Farage resigned and vowed to fight a by-election last month after intense pressure over the unregistered donations. He insisted he had "done nothing wrong" and called parliamentary investigations a "political tool".
Payment discrepancy and police investigation
After Mr Farage returned as leader, Reform reportedly sent £200,000 to a personal account belonging to Mr Tice, rather than to his company, Tisun Investments, which had made the loan. The discrepancy with Electoral Commission filings could amount to a criminal offence, according to sources who said officials later realised the filing error but decided not to inform the watchdog.
The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation this week into donations to Reform by a company controlled by Mr Tice. Fundraising vehicle Britain Means Business gave the party two donations of £250,000 in the run-up to the 2024 election. Mr Tice has previously said the money was paid to his company by donor Fiona Cottrell, George's mother. The Met said the investigation began in early 2025, with two people interviewed under caution and no arrests made.
Reform's response
Reform has dismissed the recent claims as "misinformation" based on "mischief-making by disgruntled former staff" or unlawfully obtained documents, adding that all relevant repayments were declared. The Express has contacted Reform UK for comment.
