Investigation Scope and Legal Context
The Metropolitan Police’s Special Enquiry Team has expanded its investigation into donations made to the Reform UK party ahead of the 2024 UK General Election. The probe, which was initiated in February 2025 following a referral from the Electoral Commission, now includes payments made by ‘Britain Means Business,’ a company solely owned and controlled by the party’s deputy leader, Richard Tice.
Detectives are examining potential breaches of Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. This legislation prohibits the concealment or disguise of donor identities and the use of false information regarding the source or amount of political contributions. The investigation specifically focuses on whether funds provided by donor Fiona Cottrell were channeled through Tice’s company to obscure their origin.
Financial Transactions Under Scrutiny
Between May and June 2024, Reform UK received four significant payments totaling £1 million. Two of these were direct donations of £250,000 each from Fiona Cottrell, while two additional £250,000 payments originated from Britain Means Business. Records indicate that Tice’s company had received a £1 million transfer from Cottrell in June 2024 before donating half that sum to the party.
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that two individuals have been interviewed under caution as part of the ongoing inquiry. While no arrests have been made, the investigation remains active more than a year after its launch. The Electoral Commission, which lacks the legal authority to investigate criminal offenses under the 2000 Act, referred the matter to the police after flagging potential irregularities.
NCA Internal Probe into Data Leaks
Parallel to the police inquiry, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has launched an internal investigation into the alleged leaking of confidential financial information. This follows complaints from Reform UK leadership, including Nigel Farage and Richard Tice, regarding the exposure of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the press. These reports are standard banking mechanisms used to flag potentially problematic transactions for law enforcement review.
The controversy is compounded by the involvement of George Cottrell, son of the donor, who has been a long-term associate of Nigel Farage. Reports have surfaced suggesting that George Cottrell provided financial support for staff and security for Farage prior to the 2024 election, which were not initially declared. Farage maintains that these contributions were personal and did not require formal declaration, while lawyers for the Cottrell family assert that all donations made by Fiona Cottrell were her independent decision.