An investigation is underway into donations made to Reform UK by a company owned by Richard Tice, raising questions about electoral compliance.
New Delhi, India Jul 25, 2026 ALN: Police are investigating payments to Reform UK by a company controlled by the party's deputy leader, Richard Tice, BBC has learned.
Britain Means Business gave the party two donations of £250,000 in the run-up to the 2024 general election, when Tice was party chairman. The scrutiny of these donations comes at a time when political financing is under intense public and legal examination, particularly concerning the transparency and legality of campaign contributions.
Tice has stated that the money was given to his firm by Fiona Cottrell, a significant donor to Reform UK and mother of a convicted fraudster with close links to Nigel Farage. This relationship raises questions about the sources of political funding and the implications of familial connections in political donations, especially when those involved have controversial backgrounds.
Tice remarked: "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?" His comments reflect a sentiment among some political figures that law enforcement investigations can be influenced by political motivations, potentially undermining public trust in both the police and the political system.
Earlier this month, the Times revealed that two donations given directly by Fiona Cottrell to Reform UK in May 2024 were being investigated by the Metropolitan Police. The investigation is significant as it relates to legislation governing elections, which bans concealing or disguising donations derived from an "impermissible" donor or the use of "false" information about a donation, including the amount or the identity of the donor. This legislation is designed to maintain the integrity of the electoral process, ensuring that all contributions to political parties are transparent and legally sourced.
The BBC has asked Fiona Cottrell for comment, but her response has not been made public at this time. The lack of a public statement from her may fuel speculation regarding the nature of her donations and her motivations for supporting Reform UK.
Britain Means Business, which is solely owned and controlled by Tice, received £1m from Fiona Cottrell in June 2024. This substantial sum raises eyebrows regarding the influence of wealthy donors in political campaigns, especially in a system where financial contributions can significantly impact a party's ability to compete in elections.
Disclosures to the Electoral Commission show that the company then donated a total of £500,000 to Reform UK in the same month. Tice told the BBC earlier this month that it was entirely his choice for the company to give half of the money from Fiona Cottrell to his party. This assertion of autonomy in decision-making regarding donations is crucial as it could play a role in determining the legality of the contributions.
The payments came to light when the Guardian revealed they had been flagged to the National Crime Agency as part of its Suspicious Activity Reports programme. This program is designed to alert law enforcement to potential instances of money laundering and other financial crimes, indicating that there may be broader concerns about the financial activities surrounding political donations.
Now the BBC has learned that they are part of the Met's investigation into donations to Reform UK. The implications of this investigation are significant, as it could lead to legal repercussions for Tice and the party, potentially affecting their political standing and public perception.
The BBC understands that the party was not aware of the investigation into the payments from Britain Means Business. This lack of awareness raises questions about internal oversight within Reform UK regarding the sources of its funding and the processes in place to vet donations.
A Reform UK spokesman stated: "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." This statement reflects the party's attempt to reassure the public and its supporters about the legitimacy of its funding sources, but it also highlights the ongoing scrutiny of political financing.
All four payments were made in the weeks before the general election on 4 July 2024, when Farage and Tice were first elected to Parliament:
The first direct donation from Ms Cottrell of £250,000 appeared in the party's accounts on 9 May.
The second, also £250,000, appeared a few weeks later on 29 May, just over a month before polling day.
One payment from Britain Means Business of £250,000 was made on 10 June.
Another payment from Britain Means Business of £250,000 was made on 12 June.
Tice was chairman of Reform UK until 11 July, having previously been its leader. He then became deputy leader. This transition in leadership roles may complicate the investigation, as it raises questions about accountability and the decision-making processes within the party.
Records of all the donations have been published by the Electoral Commission, an essential step in ensuring transparency in political funding. However, records on the Commission's website show Reform's bank account was frozen in the weeks before the election. This action could be indicative of serious concerns regarding the legality of the donations or the sources of the funds.
Other notes on the site suggest the account was first frozen a maximum of nine days after Britain Means Business's second donation. It is not known why the account was frozen, but such actions typically suggest that there are ongoing investigations into the financial activities of the party.
A spokesperson for the Electoral Commission said it was aware that the Met had issued a statement about an ongoing police investigation and it had no further comment to make. The lack of further information from the Electoral Commission may leave the public with more questions than answers regarding the situation.
The Met investigation into all four donations has been ongoing for more than a year. This lengthy investigation indicates the complexity of the issues at hand and the potential for significant legal implications for those involved.
Asked about the donations from Britain Means Business, the Met repeated a statement originally issued earlier this month after The Times's investigation. A spokesperson said: "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." This timeline shows that the investigation has been proactive and responsive to concerns raised by the Electoral Commission.
They added: "Detectives from the Met's Special Enquiry Team are investigating alleged offences under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000." This section specifically addresses issues of permissible and impermissible donors, underscoring the legal framework governing political donations in the UK.
"Early investigative advice has been sought from the Crown Prosecution Service and two people have so far been interviewed under caution. No arrests have been made." The mention of interviews under caution indicates the seriousness of the investigation, as it suggests that the individuals involved may face legal repercussions depending on the outcome of the inquiry.
"An offence under this section is not one that the Electoral Commission can investigate and, as such, it is a matter for the police." This distinction emphasizes the role of law enforcement in addressing potential violations of campaign finance laws, which can have significant implications for the political landscape.
The concept of "permissible" and "impermissible" donors was introduced by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, which prohibits foreign funding for political parties. This legislation aims to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that only domestic sources contribute to political campaigns.
The legislation means parties can only accept money from a permissible donor. Permissible donors include individuals registered on an electoral register and companies registered in the UK. This legal framework is designed to prevent foreign influence in domestic politics and maintain a level playing field among political parties.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) is carrying out an internal investigation in response to complaints from Richard Tice and Nigel Farage about the alleged leaking of their financial information. This investigation adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as it raises concerns about the handling of sensitive information in political contexts.
It follows reports in the Guardian that some donations made to them and to Tice's firm Britain Means Business had been flagged to the agency as part of its Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) programme. According to the NCA, such alerts are made to law enforcement "to potential instances of money laundering." SARs are not crime reports, but they indicate that there are concerns about the legality of the financial transactions involved.
Fiona Cottrell's son, George Cottrell, has been at the centre of a political row in recent weeks. The Sunday Times has reported he supported Farage by paying for staff and security before the 2024 election, but these benefits were not declared once Farage became an MP. This situation raises further questions about transparency and accountability in political financing, particularly regarding the declaration of benefits received by politicians.
Farage has since stepped down as an MP and is standing for re-election in the constituency of Clacton. His decision to step down and seek re-election may be influenced by the ongoing investigations and the public scrutiny surrounding his financial dealings.
Farage has consistently argued any money given to him before he was elected an MP came in a personal capacity. This assertion highlights the often-blurred lines between personal and political finances, complicating the public's understanding of campaign funding and the ethical implications of such arrangements.
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