UK Police Launch Investigation Into Reform Party’s Donation Flows

Reform UK’s finances under police scrutiny as Farage battles to regain his seat in a by‑election against satirical rival Count Binface.

Published On 10 Jul 202610 Jul 2026

British police are probing at least £500,000 (about $670,000) in donations to the far‑right Reform UK party, intensifying a growing campaign‑finance controversy that led leader Nigel Farage to quit his parliamentary seat abruptly this week.

On Friday, police said they are examining possible breaches of party‑donation legislation, such as hiding the true origin of funds or giving misleading information to the party’s treasurer.

Investigators are reviewing two £250,000 (≈ $335,500) contributions made before the 2024 general election by Fiona Cottrell, mother of George Cottrell—a convicted felon and longtime financier of Farage’s political endeavors.

Authorities are checking whether the money came from impermissible foreign or corporate sources. Police noted that two individuals have been interviewed under caution, although no arrests have been made.

The inquiry forms part of a wider financial cloud looming over Reform UK.

Separate reports show that banks flagged an additional £1 million (≈ $1.3 million) transfer from Ms Cottrell to a firm headed by Reform deputy leader Richard Tice, sending the transaction to the National Crime Agency (NCA) over anti‑money‑laundering worries.

Tice rejected the claims on Friday as a “politically motivated smear” and asserted that no party officials had been questioned.

Farage, a prominent former Brexit campaigner, announced this week that he would resign his parliamentary seat and run again, seeking a vote of confidence from constituents amid criticism over his finances. The by‑election is scheduled for August 13.

By stepping down, Farage effectively halted a concurrent parliamentary standards probe into an undisclosed £5 million (about $6.7 million) he received ahead of the 2024 election from Thailand‑based cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, a major stakeholder in the stablecoin Tether.

Farage has offered conflicting accounts of the money, at times describing it as a reward for his Brexit campaign, a lifetime personal security fund, and an “unconditional gift” he could spend on “Ferraris or horses”.

He maintains he has done nothing wrong. Framing his bid to return to parliament with the slogan “the people versus the establishment,” the Reform leader declared: “I’ve decided that the people of Clacton should judge my actions.”

Nevertheless, the nation’s major parties have denounced his move as a stunt to dodge suspension and said they will boycott the vote. So far, the only opponent facing Farage is the satirical candidate Count Binface.

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