Met Police interview Nigel Farage aide and his mother under caution
10 reported3 unconfirmed
According to a single source, The Guardian, Nigel Farage’s aide George Cottrell and his mother, Fiona Cottrell, have been interviewed under criminal caution by detectives from the Metropolitan police’s special inquiry team. The interviews are understood to form part of an ongoing investigation into donations to Reform UK before the general election in July 2024. Both attended voluntarily. The Met launched the criminal investigation last year after a referral by the Electoral Commission, examining donations made to a political party ahead of the 2024 UK general election and alleged offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. The Guardian understands the investigation is expected to take many more months and involves police seeking disclosure from banks and other financial institutions. The Times reported on Thursday that police were investigating donations worth £500,000 made to Reform UK by Fiona Cottrell in May 2024, but The Guardian understands the inquiry is broader and looks at other financial issues relating to Reform. The Guardian also reported that the origin of the Met investigation was a £1m donation to a Reform UK fundraising vehicle, Britain Means Business, on 10 June 2024 by Fiona Cottrell, with half transferred to Reform UK by 12 June.
What’s reported
George Cottrell and Fiona Cottrell have been interviewed under criminal caution by Met police detectives.
The interviews are part of an ongoing investigation into donations to Reform UK before the July 2024 general election.
Both attended voluntarily.
The Met investigation began after a referral by the Electoral Commission.
The investigation examines alleged offences under section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
The Times reported police are investigating £500,000 in donations from Fiona Cottrell in May 2024.
The Guardian understands the inquiry is broader and looks at other financial issues.
The origin of the investigation was a £1m donation to Britain Means Business on 10 June 2024 by Fiona Cottrell, with £500,000 transferred to Reform UK by 12 June.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said he was “not aware” of the £1m being investigated and called articles about the funding “a politically motivated smear campaign.”
Lawyers for George Cottrell said he had no comment and stated “his mother’s donations have been entirely her own decision.”
Open questions
The full scope of the Met investigation beyond the donations mentioned.
Whether any charges will be filed.
The outcome of the interviews under caution.
Key figures
George Cottrell: Nigel Farage’s aide
Fiona Cottrell: George Cottrell’s mother, donor to Reform UK
Richard Tice: Deputy leader of Reform UK
Nigel Farage: Leader of Reform UK (mentioned in context of other funding)
Christopher Harborne: Cryptocurrency billionaire (mentioned in context of other funding)
Keir Starmer: Prime Minister (mentioned as demanding transparency)
Kemi Badenoch: Leader of the Conservatives (mentioned as demanding transparency)
Sources: The Guardian
