Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has dismissed reports about a major donor as a 'politically motivated smear' as scrutiny intensifies over the party's financial affairs. Tice defended Fiona Cottrell, who made substantial payments to the party before the 2024 general election, calling her a 'permissible donor' from a 'very successful aristocratic family'.
Donations Under Investigation
According to The Times, Fiona Cottrell made two £250,000 payments to Reform UK before the 2024 election, in which Nigel Farage became an MP for the first time. She also gave £1 million to Britain Means Business, a fundraising vehicle for the party where Tice serves as a director. The Guardian reported that this transaction was among those flagged by bankers to the National Crime Agency (NCA) in suspicious activity reports.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed it opened an inquiry in February 2025 following a referral by the Electoral Commission, relating to donations made to a political party ahead of the 2024 general election. The Times reported that Scotland Yard has been investigating £500,000 in donations to Reform UK for over a year, looking into possible offences related to evading restrictions.
Tice's Response
When asked if he was aware of the police probe, Tice said: '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?' He added: 'This is all a politically motivated smear campaign. It's outrageous.'
On the source of the £1 million donation, Tice told Times Radio: 'Yes, it was donated to the company by Fiona Cottrell, and that is that. She's a permissible donor.' Pressed on due diligence, he said: 'I've known the Cottrell family, my family have known the Cottrell family and the broader Hesker family, for more than 50 years. A very successful aristocratic family, and as far as I'm concerned, she's a permissible donor and that's the end of it.'
Labour and NCA Scrutiny
Labour has accused Reform UK of taking the public 'for fools', with party chairwoman Anna Turley welcoming the Met investigation. A Met spokesperson said two people had been interviewed under caution and 'early investigative advice' sought from the Crown Prosecution Service, but no arrests have been made.
Reform UK said: 'The British people are tired of the establishment media doing anything they can to stop Reform. A daily routine of hit jobs and smears will not deter us from winning the next general election and fixing broken Britain.'
Farage's By-Election and Other Issues
Nigel Farage announced he would quit as MP for Clacton to stand in the ensuing by-election after questions mounted about a separate £5 million gift from crypto-billionaire and Reform donor Christopher Harborne. The by-election, likely on August 13, is billed by Farage as a 'people versus the establishment' contest, but his main opponent is likely to be comedy candidate Count Binface after mainstream parties boycotted.
Turley said: 'Nigel Farage can run against a bin in his distraction by-election, but he can't hide from legitimate questions.' Farage is also under investigation by Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Daniel Greenberg over whether his failure to declare the £5 million gift breached Commons rules. That probe was suspended on his resignation but may resume if he wins the by-election.
Farage said he faced the 'anti-Trump playbook' and accused other parties of 'acting in concert' to boycott the by-election. US President Donald Trump appeared to back Farage, sharing an article on Truth Social. Farage also faces questions about undeclared support from George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster and son of Fiona Cottrell, following a Sunday Times investigation.
