Police investigate Reform UK payments first revealed by The Guardian

The Metropolitan police have launched an investigation into payments made to the Reform UK party, a probe first brought to light by The Guardian. Scotland Yard is scrutinizing two significant donations, each totaling £250,000, that were channeled to the party through Britain Means Business, a company directed by Reform UK's deputy leader, Richard Tice. These donations were made in the weeks leading up to the 2024 general election.

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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?

The Guardian previously reported that Fiona Cottrell transferred £1 million to Britain Means Business shortly before these donations were made, with approximately half of those funds subsequently passed to the political party. Further complicating matters, Fiona Cottrell's son, George, is a convicted fraudster with known ties to Reform UK's leader, Nigel Farage. Both Fiona and George Cottrell have reportedly been interviewed under criminal caution as part of the ongoing police investigation.

Richard Tice, who was elected to Parliament following the election, has responded to the news of the investigation. He expressed surprise, questioning why the Metropolitan police would brief the BBC before contacting interested parties. Tice characterized the reports as a "politically motivated smear campaign" against Reform UK and its leaders.

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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. Detectives from the Met’s special enquiry team are investigating alleged offences under section 61.

In addition to the payments via Britain Means Business, Fiona Cottrell also made two direct donations of £250,000 each to Reform UK in May 2024, which are also within the scope of the police inquiry. The investigation, which began in February 2025 following a referral from the Electoral Commission, is examining alleged offenses under Section 61. The Guardian also reported that the initial £1 million transfer from Fiona Cottrell to Tice's company was flagged by bankers to the National Crime Agency via a suspicious activity report, though the source of these funds remains untraced, with the NCA seeking international assistance.

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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.