Key facts
- George Cottrell, aide to Nigel Farage, and his mother Fiona Cottrell were interviewed under criminal caution by Metropolitan police.
- The interviews are part of an investigation into donations to Reform UK prior to the July 2024 UK general election.
- The investigation focuses on alleged offences under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
- The Met police investigation, which began in February 2025, is examining broader financial issues related to Reform UK.
- Reports indicate the inquiry may stem from a £1m donation by Fiona Cottrell to a Reform UK fundraising vehicle in May 2024.
George Cottrell, an aide to Nigel Farage, and his mother Fiona Cottrell have been interviewed under criminal caution by Metropolitan police detectives. The interviews are understood to be part of an ongoing investigation into donations made to the Reform UK party ahead of the July 2024 UK general election.
The investigation, which began in February 2025, is examining alleged offences under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, which pertains to the evasion of restrictions on political donors. The Metropolitan police's special inquiry team is reportedly seeking documents from financial institutions as part of the inquiry.
Reports suggest the investigation may be linked to a £1m donation made by Fiona Cottrell to a fundraising vehicle for Reform UK in May 2024, with £500,000 of this transferred to the party shortly before the election. Reform UK's deputy leader, Richard Tice, stated he was unaware of the investigation into the donation and described media reports as a "politically motivated smear campaign", asserting Fiona Cottrell is a permissible donor.
This scrutiny of Reform UK's funding follows previous revelations that Nigel Farage received a £5m donation from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne before announcing his candidacy. Political leaders across the spectrum have called for greater transparency from the party regarding its finances.