The police are investigating at least £500,000-worth of donations made to Reform UK by the mother of a convicted fraudster who paid for Nigel Farage’s social media staff and security, the Times newspaper reports.
Fiona Cottrell is reportedly at the centre of the inquiry being conducted by the Metropolitan Police. The newspaper reports, external that officers have spent more than a year looking into potential offences relating to “the evasion of restrictions on donations.”
This relates, the Times alleges, to concealing or disguising donations derived from an “impermissible” donor to a political party, or the use of “false” information about a donation including the amount or the identity of the donor.
The paper reports that it understands the investigation is about two payments of £250,000 Fiona Cottrell made to Reform before the last general election in 2024.
The first donation appeared in the party’s account on May 9 2024. The second one appeared a few weeks later on 29 May, just over a month before polling day. Records of the donations have been published by the Electoral Commission, external.
Nigel Farage was elected to the Commons for the first time at that election.
The Sunday Times reported at the weekend that Cottrell’s son, George Cottrell, had supported the Reform UK leader by paying for staff and security before the election, but these benefits were not declared once Farage became an MP.
George Cottrell pleaded guilty to fraud in the United States and spent eight months in jail there, before being released in 2017.
Lawyers for George Cottrell said he “categorically disputes allegations and assertions made by the Sunday Times” in relation to his financial help for Farage. The Reform leader has denied any wrongdoing on his part.
Approached by the BBC, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police said: “An investigation was launched in February 2025 after a referral was made to the Metropolitan Police by the Electoral Commission relating to donations made to a political party ahead of the 2024 UK General Election.”
She added: “Detectives from the Met’s Special Enquiry Team are investigating alleged offences under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
“Early investigative advice has been sought from the Crown Prosecution Service and two people have so far been interviewed under caution. No arrests have been made.
“An offence under this section is not one that the Electoral Commission can investigate and, as such, it is a matter for the police.”
The Electoral Commission told the BBC: “The Metropolitan Police Service have issued a statement about an on-going police investigation. We have no further comment.”
The BBC has attempted to contact Fiona Cottrell for comment.
