Reform UK Transactions Reported to NCA Over Money Laundering

Multiple financial transactions involving senior figures within the Reform UK party have triggered reports of potential money-laundering concerns to the National Crime Agency (NCA), according to a Guardian investigation. These reports, known as Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), were filed by bankers who were unsatisfied with the origin of funds related to party donations and loans.

One significant transaction involved a £1 million donation made to Britain Means Business, a fundraising organization for Reform UK, prior to the 2024 general election. Half of this amount was subsequently transferred to Reform UK by Richard Tice, who serves as a director of Britain Means Business. Bank staff reportedly had doubts about the ultimate source of the £1 million, which was understood to have originated from aristocrat and Reform UK donor Fiona Cottrell. The NCA is reportedly seeking assistance from a foreign partner agency to trace the original source of these funds.

Further SARs pertain to a loan provided by George Cottrell to Richard Tice. George Cottrell, the son of Fiona Cottrell, is a convicted fraudster and former deputy treasurer of Ukip, known to be a close associate of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The loan was reportedly made shortly before Tice finalized a property purchase and made a party donation. Sources indicate that the loan was not repaid until after these two transactions were completed, raising further questions about the financial dealings.

These reports follow an earlier revelation that a £5 million gift to Nigel Farage from a cryptocurrency billionaire shortly before the 2024 general election was also reported to the NCA over money-laundering concerns. The ongoing scrutiny highlights potential financial irregularities within the party's funding mechanisms.