Police are reportedly investigating donations totalling £500,000 made to Reform UK by the mum of a convicted fraudster, it emerged last month.
Detectives are understood to be probing two payments of £250,000 by Fiona Cottrell, whose son George is a key ally of Nigel Farage. It is reported that investigators are looking at whether the true source of the money was concealed and if the sum came from an impermissible donor. This could include people who are not registered to vote in the UK and companies based overseas. Political parties are legally obliged not to accept money from such sources.
Data from the Electoral Commission shows Mrs Cottrell, 67, made two £250,000 donations to Reform UK ahead of the general election. These were registered on May 9 and 29 2024. They were the first political donations made in her name, and last year she donated a further £250,000.