Police investigate £500,000 Reform donations from Tice company

Police investigate £500,000 donations to Reform from deputy leader Richard Tice firm

Police have launched an investigation into £500,000 in donations made to Reform UK by a company controlled by the party's deputy leader Richard Tice, according to the BBC.

The inquiry centres on two £250,000 donations made by Britain Means Business in the run-up to the 2024 General Election, when Tice was serving as Reform chairman.

Police probe funding

The company received £1 million from Reform donor Fiona Cottrell before donating half that amount to the party.

The Metropolitan Police are investigating whether election finance rules were breached, including laws banning the concealment of donations from impermissible sources or the use of false information relating to political donations.

No allegations have been proven and the investigation remains ongoing.

Tice hits back

Richard Tice said he was unaware of the investigation and accused the Metropolitan Police of leaking information.

He said: "This is the first I have heard of it. If true, why are the Met Police briefing the BBC before contacting interested parties?"

Tice also claimed Reform was the target of a "politically motivated smear campaign."

Reform denies wrongdoing

A Reform UK spokesman said the party carries out "stringent vetting" of all donations and insists it has complied with Electoral Commission rules.

The BBC reported the party itself was unaware the donations from Britain Means Business were under investigation.

Wider investigation

The latest development follows an existing police inquiry into two separate £250,000 donations made directly to Reform by Fiona Cottrell in May 2024.

Together, the four donations total £1 million.

Records published by the Electoral Commission also show Reform UK's bank account was frozen for a period shortly before the 2024 General Election, although no reason has been made public.

The Metropolitan Police have not announced any charges, and the investigation continues.

SOURCE