Police investigate Reform UK deputy leader's company over party donations

British police are investigating Britain Means Business, a company owned by Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, concerning donations made to the right-wing populist party prior to the 2024 general election. The inquiry is part of a broader scrutiny of the party's funding, led by Nigel Farage. Authorities are examining financial transactions involving the company, which reportedly received £1 million from Fiona Cottrell in June 2024. Of this sum, £500,000 was later transferred to Reform UK shortly before the July 4th general election. The BBC reported these details as part of the ongoing investigation. Scotland Yard is also looking into two separate donations of £250,000 each made to Reform UK in May 2024. There is suspicion that these funds may have been channeled through an unauthorized donor, potentially linked to George Cottrell, a close associate of Farage. Cottrell, who previously served a fraud sentence in the United States in 2017, currently resides in Montenegro. The investigation into these donations commenced in February 2025, following a referral from the Electoral Commission to the police to ascertain potential breaches of party financing regulations. The financial controversy also implicates Farage himself, who resigned as a Member of Parliament on July 7th and intends to contest a by-election on August 13th in Clacton-on-Sea to retain his seat amidst the scandals.