Police Probe Reform UK Donations: Tice's Company Under Scrutiny!
Police Probe Reform UK Donations: Tice's Company Under Scrutiny!
Scotland Yard launches an investigation into £500,000 in donations to Reform UK from a company led by deputy leader Richard Tice, raising questions about election finances and a 'smear campaign.'
The Metropolitan Police, commonly known as Scotland Yard, has launched an investigation into substantial donations made to Reform UK, a development first brought to light by The Guardian. The inquiry is focusing on two payments, each worth £250,000, transferred to the party by Britain Means Business in the weeks leading up to the 2024 general election.
Britain Means Business is a company where Reform UK's deputy leader, Richard Tice, serves as the sole director. This investigation comes after earlier reports revealed a £1 million transfer from Fiona Cottrell to Britain Means Business shortly before the donations were made to Reform UK. Approximately half of these funds were subsequently passed on to the party.
The connection runs deeper, as Fiona Cottrell's son, George Cottrell, is a convicted fraudster known to have close ties with Reform leader Nigel Farage. Both Fiona and George Cottrell have reportedly been interviewed under criminal caution as part of the ongoing police investigation.
Adding to the complexity, Fiona Cottrell also made two direct donations to Reform UK, each for £250,000, in May 2024. These direct payments are also now within the scope of the Metropolitan Police's inquiry.
When confronted with the news of the investigation by the BBC, Richard Tice expressed surprise, stating, “This is the first I have heard of it, if true why are the Met police briefing the BBC before contacting interested parties? Is the Met leadership now engaged in the widespread politically motivated smear campaign against Reform and its leaders?” Tice, who secured a parliamentary seat after the recent election, had previously acknowledged his company receiving donations from Fiona Cottrell but dismissed earlier reports on the matter as a “politically motivated smear campaign.”
