英国《卫报》披露，已定罪欺诈犯罪人士George Cottrell在其母亲向Reform UK政党献金前数天，向其母Fiona转账超过200万美元[1]。根据报道，George Cottrell共向其母转账2,047,693美元，单笔转账包括140万美元和两笔超过30万美元的转账[1]。这些转账与Fiona随后向Reform UK或Britain Means Business献金的时间间隔仅为24至72小时[1]。
据悉，Fiona在2024年共向相关机构献金150万英镑，包括两笔25万英镑的直接献金和超过100万英镑捐赠给Britain Means Business[1]。伦敦警察厅已于2025年2月启动调查，重点关注是否存在隐瞒献金真实来源的企图[1]。目前两人已被问讯，尚无逮捕[1]。此外，Reform UK领导人Richard Tice曾从George Cottrell收到未披露的8万英镑贷款[1]。
George Cottrell, a convicted fraud offender, transferred more than $2 million to his mother in the days immediately preceding her substantial donations to the Reform UK political party, according to an investigation by the Guardian.[1] The transfers totaled $2,047,693 across multiple transactions, including a single payment of $1.4 million and two transfers each exceeding $300,000.[1] These funds were reportedly routed through cryptocurrency exchanges, with the timing between the transfers and subsequent political donations spanning 24 to 72 hours.[1]
Cottrell's mother, Fiona Cottrell, donated a combined £1.5 million to Reform UK or the associated Britain Means Business organization during 2024, comprising two direct donations of £250,000 each and over £1 million directed to Britain Means Business.[1] The Metropolitan Police commenced an investigation into Reform UK's funding sources in February 2025, focusing on whether there were attempts to conceal the true origins of the donations.[1] Both individuals have been questioned as part of the inquiry, though no arrests have been made.[1]
The investigation has also uncovered that Richard Tice received an undisclosed £80,000 loan from George Cottrell.[1] Additionally, Nigel Farage previously received a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne.[1]