Police Investigate Reform UK Donations
The police are looking into Reform UK donations made by Fiona Cottrell. These donations are worth at least £500,000. The Metropolitan Police are leading the investigation. They are checking whether any rules about political donations were broken before the 2024 UK general election.
The police have been working on the case for more than a year. They are investigating whether someone hid the source of the donations or gave false information about them.
Details of the Donations
Police have not interviewed any Reform UK party officials, according to the party.
The investigation involves two donations from Fiona Cottrell. Each donation was £250,000. The Electoral Commission recorded the first donation on 9 May 2024 and the second on 29 May 2024, shortly before the general election.
Claims About Nigel Farage and George Cottrell
Voters elected Nigel Farage as a Member of Parliament for the first time in the 2024 general election.
Allegations About Election Support
Reports claim that Fiona Cottrell’s son, George Cottrell, paid for members of Nigel Farage’s social media team and security before the election. It has been alleged that this support was not declared after Farage became an MP.
George Cottrell has denied the allegations through his lawyers, and Nigel Farage has also denied any wrongdoing.
George Cottrell’s Previous Conviction
George Cottrell previously pleaded guilty to fraud in the United States. He served eight months in prison before being released in 2017.
Police Investigation Continues
The Metropolitan Police began investigating the matter in February 2025 after receiving a referral from the Electoral Commission.
Detectives are examining whether anyone broke election finance laws. Police have interviewed two people under caution, but they have not made any arrests.
The police said the investigation is ongoing and declined to comment further.
The Electoral Commission also said it had no additional comment while the investigation continues.
The BBC contacted Fiona Cottrell for comment, but she did not respond.
Conclusion
The investigation into Reform UK donations made by Fiona Cottrell remains ongoing. Police continue to examine the donations and related allegations. They have not arrested anyone, and everyone involved denies any wrongdoing.
