Full Breakdown
Police Probe £250,000 Reform UK Donations Linked to Deputy Leader’s Firm
7/26/2026, 12:05:44 AM
Core Event
The Metropolitan Police are investigating two £250,000 donations to Reform UK that were routed through a company controlled by the party’s deputy leader, Richard Tice. The probe concerns possible breaches of election-law rules that forbid concealing the source of “impermissible” donors or providing false information about a donation’s amount or identity.
Background & Context
The donations were made by Britain Means Business in the run-up to the 2024 general election, when Tice served as Reform UK chairman. Tice has said the money was supplied to his firm by Fiona Cottrell, a prominent Reform UK donor and mother of a convicted fraudster with close ties to Nigel Farage. The Times previously reported that two donations directly from Cottrell to Reform UK in May 2024 were under Metropolitan Police scrutiny.
Official Statements & Responses
Richard Tice has denied prior knowledge of the payments, describing the police briefings as premature and suggesting a politically motivated smear campaign against Reform UK. The BBC has sought comment from Fiona Cottrell but has not received a response.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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?” — Nigel Farage. Tice
