Key facts
- George Cottrell transferred $2,047,693 to his mother, Fiona Cottrell.
- The transfers preceded Fiona Cottrell's donations to Reform UK and Britain Means Business.
- Funds were allegedly moved via cryptocurrency exchanges.
- The Metropolitan police are investigating Reform UK's funding.
- George Cottrell has been described as a volunteer and 'chief of staff' for Reform UK.
Convicted fraudster George Cottrell transferred over $2 million to his mother, Fiona Cottrell, in the days leading up to her significant financial contributions to the UK political party Reform UK. Financial industry sources revealed to The Guardian that Fiona received deposits totaling $2,047,693 from her son, including a $1.4 million sum and two tranches exceeding $300,000 each. These transfers occurred 24 to 72 hours before Fiona made donations, some of which were routed through US-based cryptocurrency exchanges before entering her accounts via money exchange services.
Fiona Cottrell was a notable donor to Reform UK in 2024, making disclosed donations of £250,000 in May, preceded by transfers of $318,878 and $328,815 from her son. She also provided over £1 million to Britain Means Business, a fundraising vehicle controlled by Reform UK's deputy leader, Richard Tice, in June 2024. This latter sum, £1,075,000, was reportedly preceded by a $1,400,000 deposit from George Cottrell.
The Metropolitan police are currently investigating the funding of Reform UK, specifically examining potential attempts to disguise the origin of donations. These revelations come amid heightened scrutiny of Nigel Farage's finances, following a previously reported £5 million gift from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne. Sources involved in Reform UK's fundraising indicated that George Cottrell acted as a 'shadow treasurer,' assuring senior party figures that funds would be secured before the 2024 vote.
Lawyers for George Cottrell stated he has no further comment, while previous correspondence suggests he has not denied providing large sums to his mother. Fiona Cottrell has not responded to attempts to contact her. George Cottrell, who lives in Montenegro, has been described by Reform insiders as Farage's chief of staff, though the party maintains he is a volunteer. He made one declared donation of £15,000 to Reform UK in 2024 to help fund Farage's trip to Florida. The Metropolitan police investigation, launched in February 2025 following a referral from the Electoral Commission, is examining alleged offences under section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Two individuals have been interviewed under caution, but no arrests have been made.