Payments to Reform UK, first disclosed by The Guardian, are now under investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
The inquiry is examining funds received by the party through a company controlled by its deputy leader, Richard Tice.
Scotland Yard is reviewing two £250,000 donations made to Reform UK by Britain Means Business in the weeks preceding the 2024 general election.
The Guardian revealed earlier this month that Fiona Cottrell transferred £1 million to Britain Means Business shortly before those donations. Roughly half of that amount was then forwarded to the party.
Fiona Cottrell’s son, George, is a convicted fraudster with close ties to Reform leader Nigel Farage.
Both Fiona and George Cottrell have been interviewed under criminal caution as part of the police investigation, according to The Guardian.
When questioned by the BBC, Tice said he was unaware of the inquiry and challenged the Met’s handling of the matter, suggesting a politically motivated smear campaign.
Fiona Cottrell also made two direct donations to the party, each worth £250,000, in May 2024. These contributions fall within the scope of the Metropolitan Police’s investigation.
Tice, elected to Parliament after the election, is the sole director of Britain Means Business, which received donations from Fiona Cottrell. He has previously described the reports as a “politically motivated smear campaign.”
Bankers reported the £1 million transfer from Fiona Cottrell to Tice’s company to the National Crime Agency via a suspicious activity report. Such reports are used to flag potential money‑laundering activity, not to confirm criminal offences.
A Reform UK spokesperson said: “Reform takes pride in its stringent vetting of donations and always ensures that the Electoral Commission guidelines on donations, as set out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, are strictly followed, as has been the case with donations so far.”
Fiona Cottrell did not respond to the Guardian’s attempts to contact her regarding the donations to Britain Means Business.
The Metropolitan Police repeated a statement issued earlier this month when asked about the developments by the BBC on Saturday evening.
“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,” the force said.
“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.”
