Police Investigate Reform UK Payments After Guardian Report 2026

The Metropolitan police are investigating Reform UK donations and payments first revealed by the Guardian. The probe centers on two £250,000 donations made to Reform UK by Britain Means Business, a company controlled by the party's deputy leader Richard Tice, just weeks before the 2024 general election.

According to the Guardian, Fiona Cottrell transferred £1 million to Britain Means Business shortly before those donations were made. About half of the funds then went to Reform UK. Her son, George Cottrell, is a convicted fraudster with close ties to Reform leader Nigel Farage.

Scotland Yard confirmed it is investigating the payments, and both Fiona and George Cottrell have been interviewed under criminal caution. The inquiry also covers two direct £250,000 donations from Fiona Cottrell to Reform UK in May 2024.

What the Investigation Covers

The police are scrutinizing the source and flow of funds. A suspicious activity report was filed by bankers with the National Crime Agency regarding the £1 million transfer from Fiona Cottrell to Britain Means Business. However, neither the NCA nor the banks have been able to trace the original source of that money.

Reform UK's Response

Richard Tice reacted angrily to news of the investigation, calling it a “politically motivated smear campaign” by the Met police and the BBC. He questioned why the police briefed the media before contacting the party.

The Reform UK donations controversy raises serious questions about transparency and the role of companies in political funding. Below is a comparison of the key donations under investigation.

Key Takeaways from the Police Investigation

• Metropolitan police are actively investigating two £250,000 donations to Reform UK via Britain Means Business.
• Fiona Cottrell transferred £1 million to Britain Means Business before the donations; the source of that £1 million is unknown.
• George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster, has close links to Reform leader Nigel Farage.
• Two additional direct donations of £250,000 each from Fiona Cottrell to Reform UK in May 2024 are also under scrutiny.
• A suspicious activity report was filed, but the original funds remain untraced.

FAQ

The Reform UK donations scandal continues to unfold, with the Metropolitan police now formally investigating whether any criminal offenses occurred. As the party builds on its electoral gains, this probe could have significant political and legal consequences.

Stay tuned for further updates as the police investigation progresses. For more in-depth analysis of political funding and party finances, explore our other articles in the business section.