Key facts
- George Cottrell was introduced as Nigel Farage's chief of staff by a former Reform UK candidate.
- Cottrell, a convicted fraudster, allegedly arranged transport and covered costs for Reform UK events.
- Bankers filed suspicious activity reports concerning a loan from Cottrell to Reform's deputy leader and a large donation from his mother.
- Reform UK stated Cottrell has no official role and is an unpaid volunteer.
- Cottrell previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud and served time in prison.
George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster, was reportedly introduced as Nigel Farage’s chief of staff before the 2024 election, despite Reform UK denying he held any official role. This claim comes from a former Reform candidate who stepped aside for Farage.
Multiple sources involved with the party have also alleged that Cottrell arranged transport for newly elected Reform MPs and covered the costs of a pre-election fundraising lunch with potential donors. These allegations have intensified scrutiny on Cottrell's undeclared support for Farage.
Further questions have arisen regarding a loan from Cottrell to Reform’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, which was flagged in suspicious activity reports (SARs) by bankers. Another SAR concerned a £1 million donation from Cottrell's mother, Fiona, to a Reform fundraising organization, with bank staff reportedly questioning the ultimate source of the funds.
Reports also indicate Cottrell provided security, accommodation, and staffing for Farage before the election, and distributed business cards with Farage's official email address. Tony Mack, who was initially Reform's candidate for Clacton, confirmed Cottrell was introduced as Farage's chief of staff during meetings, noting it was an unusual title for someone unelected at the time.
Mack also alleged that Farage reneged on a deal to give him a role in the party in exchange for stepping aside. He recalled Cottrell referring to Farage as "daddy." A Reform spokesperson stated that Cottrell has no official role and is an unpaid volunteer, like thousands of other party members.
Lawyers for Cottrell did not respond to requests for comment. The party also did not address claims that Cottrell arranged Land Rovers for Farage and other Reform MPs to travel to Westminster after the election. Another source indicated Cottrell funded a lunch in London where Farage met potential donors.
Figures including Labour chair Anna Turley have called for electoral authorities to investigate allegations of undeclared donations from Cottrell to Farage. Farage is currently under investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog over a £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. In 2016, Cottrell pleaded guilty to wire fraud and served time in prison in Arizona, and is seeking a pardon from Donald Trump. Reform UK acknowledged receiving gifts from Cottrell but maintained they were personal to Farage and unrelated to his political activities.