Farage hit by fresh fraudster funding claims

Farage with George Cottrell

former Reform candidate Tony Mack claimed Cottrell called Farage 'daddy'

Nigel Farage has been hit with explosive new allegations over his links to convicted fraudster George Cottrell, piling fresh pressure on the Reform UK leader. The latest claims suggest office costs were secretly covered after the 2024 general election without being declared to the Electoral Commission, as required by law. Reform insists Cottrell was simply an unpaid volunteer and denies any wrongdoing.

The fresh accusations land at a difficult moment for Farage. He was already facing one Parliamentary standards investigation, with the possibility of another, before announcing he would step down to contest a by-election in Clacton. Farage has insisted he is the victim of an establishment "stitch-up", while parody candidate Count Binface is expected to challenge him in the contest.

According to The Sunday Times, aristocrat George Cottrell, known as "Posh George", used his own money to cover office expenses, including software costs. Political parties must declare donations of money, goods, services or discounts worth more than £500, and failing to do so can result in fines. Reform maintains that Cottrell held no official position and received no payment.

The allegations follow earlier reports from The Times claiming Cottrell provided Farage with benefits including security, drivers, staff and accommodation. Those reports prompted the Liberal Democrats to call on Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Daniel Greenberg to investigate. Lawyers acting for Cottrell disputed reports that he provided financial assistance to Farage.

Greenberg was already investigating a separate matter involving a reported £5 million gift made to Farage before the general election by crypto tycoon Christopher Harborne. Reform argues the money did not require declaration because it was a personal gift. Parliamentary rules state that donations and political gifts received during the 12 months before an MP enters Parliament must be registered.

Pressure has also come from Labour MP Phil Brickell, who called for another investigation into reports that Farage lobbied the Bank of England over a cryptocurrency proposal that could have affected Harborne. Farage and Reform have denied any wrongdoing over those claims.

The controversy does not end there. Last week it emerged that the Metropolitan Police are investigating two donations of £250,000 made in May 2024 by Cottrell's mother, Fiona Cottrell. Investigators are reportedly examining whether the true source of the money was concealed and whether it originated from an impermissible donor, including overseas companies or people not registered to vote in the UK. Political parties are legally required not to accept such donations.

Labour seized on the latest reports, accusing Reform of becoming engulfed in an expanding funding scandal. A party spokesperson said that if George Cottrell had secretly funded Reform's offices, it would breach the law and the party should face the consequences. They also pointed to previous allegations involving undeclared donations and the ongoing police investigation into donations linked to the Cottrell family.

The spokesperson further criticised what they described as hidden financial support, including the reported £5 million gift from Christopher Harborne and alleged undeclared donations linked to Cottrell. Labour claimed the pattern suggested Reform believed it was above the rules. Reform continues to reject allegations of wrongdoing.

Adding another twist, former Reform candidate Tony Mack told The Guardian last week that Cottrell referred to Farage as "daddy". Farage has previously described the 32-year-old as being "like a son" to him.

Reform repeated last week that Cottrell has never held an official role within the party, has never been an employee and remains one of thousands of unpaid volunteers. The party declined to comment to The Sunday Times on the latest allegations, while the Mirror said it had contacted Reform UK and Cottrell's legal team for comment.

Binface-battling Nigel Farage faces fresh claims about fraudster who calls him daddy