Police are investigating £500,000 in donations made to Reform UK by Fiona Cottrell, the mother of convicted fraudster George Cottrell. The two donations of £250,000 each were sent in May 2024, before the last general election.
Background of the donations
George Cottrell, 32, is a convicted fraudster who secretly bankrolled Nigel Farage. He is already under police investigation for 'the evasion of restrictions on donations', including concealing or disguising donations from an 'impermissible donor'. Two people have been interviewed under caution in connection with the probe.
Fiona Cottrell, 67, is an aristocrat who reportedly dated Prince Charles in the 1970s. She has no history as a political donor, but made the two £250,000 donations before Farage announced he would stand as an MP, according to The Times.
Additional payments
Fiona is also believed to have sent a £1 million payment to a company owned by Richard Tice, Reform's deputy leader. Half of this sum was then donated to Reform, The Guardian reports. It remains unclear where Fiona obtained the £1 million and whether this relates to the ongoing police investigation.
George Cottrell's donations before the election covered expenses such as drivers, security, and the use of a luxury townhouse near Buckingham Palace.
Farage's resignation and by-election
Nigel Farage quit as Clacton MP following questions over a £5 million donation from billionaire Christopher Harborne. A by-election has been called, with parties in Westminster boycotting it, describing it as a 'sham'. Comedy candidate Count Binface is the highest-profile opponent for the Reform UK leader.
Reform had hoped the vote would be held on August 6, but Tendring District Council announced the date would be a week later. Potential candidates can submit nominations from July 14 to 17, and residents of the Essex constituency not on the electoral register have until July 28 to apply for a vote.
