Labour's chair, Bridget Phillipson, has written to the Electoral Commission requesting an investigation into whether Reform UK breached donation rules, following revelations that convicted fraudster George Cottrell transferred over $2m to his mother before she made donations to the party in 2024.
Details of the transfers
According to financial industry sources, Fiona Cottrell received several tranches of money totaling more than $2m, which she attributed to her son. The funds were then transferred either directly to Reform or via Britain Means Business, a fundraising vehicle for the party. George Cottrell is a close ally and adviser to Nigel Farage.
The Electoral Commission had already referred the matter to the Metropolitan police, who are investigating whether Reform may have concealed or disguised donations from an “impermissible” donor.
Labour's call for action
In her letter, Phillipson stated that the new revelations “may be relevant to the question of whether the true source of political donations made to Reform UK has been correctly identified and whether the statutory requirements governing permissible donors have been complied with.”
A Labour spokesperson urged Reform to address the allegations seriously, saying: “If these latest claims about George Cottrell are true, Reform may have taken money from a convicted fraudster who was the ultimate source of the donations. That would mean Reform accepted his money even though he has never shown he was legally allowed to donate to a political party at the time.”
Reform's response
At a press conference, Reform’s economics spokesperson, Robert Jenrick, said the story “has been going on for a long time” but avoided the substance of the allegations. He told the BBC: “We are entirely confident that Reform followed all electoral rules at the time when the donations were made. Of course, we’ll participate with any inquiries. To the best of my knowledge, we haven’t even been contacted by the police, so I don’t think we have anything more to add to that.”
Jenrick suggested journalists should question George Cottrell and refocused on social care, stating: “Reform is certain that all the electoral rules were followed. If you’ve got a question for Mr Cottrell then I think you have to direct that to him.”
Background and further investigation
The Met police are examining donations to Reform, including those from Britain Means Business, whose director is deputy leader Richard Tice. The firm gave Reform two donations of £250,000 ahead of the 2024 general election, first reported by the Guardian.
George Cottrell, convicted for fraud in the US, lives in Montenegro but is frequently seen alongside Farage. Reform maintains he is only a volunteer, though he has been described as Farage’s chief of staff. Lawyers for Cottrell declined further comment. In previous legal correspondence, Cottrell did not deny giving his mother large sums but stated that any donations she made were her own decision.
Fiona Cottrell has not responded to multiple attempts by the Guardian to contact her. A Reform spokesperson earlier stated: “Reform takes pride in its stringent vetting of donations and always ensures that the Electoral Commission guidelines on donations, as set out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, are strictly followed, as has been the case with all donations.”
