Key facts
- British police are investigating at least £500,000 in donations to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party.
- The donations were reportedly made by the mother of George Cottrell, a political ally convicted of wire fraud.
- The investigation concerns potential offences under laws governing donations to political parties.
- The Metropolitan Police launched the investigation in February 2025 following a referral from the Electoral Commission.
- Nigel Farage has faced scrutiny over his party's funds, including undisclosed gifts.
- Farage announced he would resign his parliamentary seat and run again.
British police are investigating at least £500,000 in donations made to Nigel Farage's populist Reform UK party. The Times newspaper reported that the funds came from the mother of a close political ally who has a conviction for wire fraud. The Metropolitan Police confirmed an investigation was launched in February 2025 following a referral from the Electoral Commission, looking into potential offences under laws governing political donations, such as concealing the source of funding or providing false information.
Two individuals have been questioned in connection with the donations, though no arrests have been made. Farage has been under scrutiny for weeks regarding his party's finances, including undisclosed gifts. He has denied any wrongdoing, stating a donation was received before he announced his candidacy for the 2024 election and thus did not require declaration. The police investigation specifically examines payments made by Fiona Cottrell, mother of George Cottrell, a long-standing political ally who previously served prison time in the U.S. for wire fraud and now works in cryptocurrency.
In parallel, Reform UK has faced scrutiny over a £5 million gift to Nigel Farage, with reports of money laundering concerns flagged to the National Crime Agency (NCA). The party's byelection strategy was reportedly undermined by an expanded investigation into undeclared assistance from George Cottrell. Farage recently announced his resignation from his parliamentary seat and intention to run again, seeking a vote of confidence amidst criticism of his finances.