Reform UK councillors told to call donations inquiry ‘establishment stitch-up’
8 reported
Reform UK has instructed its councillors to describe a police investigation into donations from the mother of George Cottrell as an establishment stitch-up, according to internal briefing documents reported by the Times. The documents included instructions to respond to questions about a Metropolitan police investigation into party donations with specific statements. Police are investigating donations worth £500,000 made to Reform UK by Fiona Cottrell, the mother of the crypto-gambler and convicted fraudster known as "Posh George," who is a close friend of Nigel Farage. The Guardian previously reported that Farage received a £5m gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne before the last election, which is subject to a standards inquiry, and the Conservatives have asked HMRC to investigate whether Farage should have paid tax on that gift. New polling by YouGov shows Farage's popularity has fallen to the joint lowest level in a decade, with only 22% of people having a positive view and 68% a negative view, a net favourability rating of -46. Separate polling by More in Common indicated that the new prime minister, Burnham, has a net approval rating of +13 after a week in office, higher than Starmer ever achieved. YouGov's latest voting-intention poll shows Labour and the Conservatives within two and three points respectively of Reform UK, with Reform on 23%, Labour on 21%, and the Conservatives on 20%.
What’s reported
Reform UK instructed its councillors to describe a police investigation into donations as an establishment stitch-up, per internal briefing documents reported by the Times.
Councillors were told to respond with: "It is now clear that the establishment will try anything to stop us."
Police are investigating £500,000 in donations to Reform UK from Fiona Cottrell, mother of George Cottrell.
The Guardian reported in April that Farage received a £5m gift from Christopher Harborne, now subject to a standards inquiry.
Conservatives have asked HMRC to investigate whether Farage should have paid tax on the £5m gift.
YouGov polling shows Farage's net favourability rating at -46, with 22% positive and 68% negative views.
YouGov voting-intention poll: Reform UK 23%, Labour 21%, Conservatives 20%.
More in Common polling shows Prime Minister Burnham has a net approval rating of +13 after one week in office.
Key figures
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader
Fiona Cottrell, mother of George Cottrell and donor
George Cottrell, crypto-gambler and convicted fraudster
Christopher Harborne, crypto billionaire
Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader
Burnham, Prime Minister (first name not provided in article)
Sources: The Guardian
