Reform UK asks NCA to investigate leaks of private financial information

Reform UK Deputy leader Richard Tice has formally requested the National Crime Agency (NCA) investigate whether the agency itself is responsible for leaking his private financial information to the media. Tice stated he only became aware that payments made to his organizations had been flagged to the NCA as part of its Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) program when contacted by The Guardian newspaper, suggesting the information originated from the NCA.

A spokesperson for the NCA commented that the agency does not confirm or deny the receipt or use of SARs, emphasizing that such reports are confidential and breaching this confidentiality can constitute a tipping-off offense under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

It is understood that the NCA frequently makes information from SARs reports available to police forces and other organizations involved in their investigations. The context of Tice's inquiry appears linked to a broader political row involving a figure named Cottrell, who reportedly provided support to Nigel Farage before his election as an MP. A think tank owned by Tice, Britain Means Business, also received a £1 million donation from Fiona Cotrell in June 2024, which was also flagged to the NCA via the SARs program.