Key facts
- Police are investigating £500,000 in donations to Reform UK from Fiona Cottrell.
- The investigation concerns potential offences related to concealing impermissible donors.
- George Cottrell, son of Fiona Cottrell, has been presented as Nigel Farage's chief of staff and previously served jail time for fraud.
- The Metropolitan Police investigation began in February 2025 after a referral from the Electoral Commission.
- Two individuals have been interviewed under caution.
Police are investigating at least £500,000 in donations made to Reform UK by Fiona Cottrell, the mother of convicted fraudster George Cottrell, who has been presented as Nigel Farage's chief of staff. The Metropolitan Police launched the inquiry in February 2025, following a referral from the Electoral Commission, to examine potential offences under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, concerning the concealment of impermissible donors. Two individuals have been interviewed under caution as part of the investigation, which focuses on two £250,000 payments made by Fiona Cottrell to Reform UK in May 2024, shortly before the 2024 general election. George Cottrell previously served eight months in jail in the US for wire fraud.