The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are investigating two £250,000 donations made to Reform UK following a referral from the Electoral Commission. Detectives launched the investigation in February 2025 after concerns were raised over donations made to the party ahead of the 2024 General Election. Scotland Yard said the inquiry relates to alleged offences under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, which covers offences including disguising donations from an impermissible source or providing false information about a donation or donor. The investigation is understood to centre on two donations totalling £500,000 made by Fiona Cottrell, the mother of convicted fraudster George Cottrell. According to reports, detectives are also examining financial transactions involving a £1 million deposit made by Fiona Cottrell into a bank account controlled by Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice, part of which was subsequently donated to the party.
Two interviewed under caution
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that two people have been interviewed under caution as part of the investigation. A spokesperson for Scotland Yard 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.
“Detectives from the Met’s Special Inquiry 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 said it had no further comment while the police investigation remains ongoing.
Wider scrutiny
The investigation comes amid wider scrutiny of Reform UK’s finances. Nigel Farage has previously faced parliamentary standards investigations concerning financial support he received before entering Parliament, including funding linked to businessman Christopher Harborne and payments made by George Cottrell for security and social media staff. Farage has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has maintained that the financial support complied with parliamentary rules. He has said the payments were either unconditional gifts or unrelated to his parliamentary duties. The parliamentary investigations were paused after Farage stood down as the MP for Clacton earlier this week. They are expected to resume if he is returned to Parliament following the forthcoming by-election. No arrests have been made in relation to the Metropolitan Police investigation, which remains ongoing. As the investigation is ongoing, no criminal charges have been brought and no conclusions should be drawn from the fact that enquiries are being conducted.
Originally published by UKNIP.
