Detectives from the Metropolitan Police have opened a criminal inquiry into large donations made to Reform UK ahead of the 2024 general election, examining payments routed through a fundraising vehicle linked to party figures.
Scope of the investigation
The Met said the investigation was launched in February 2025 following a referral from the Electoral Commission. Officers from the force’s Special Enquiry Team are probing alleged breaches of Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA).
So far, two people have been interviewed under caution, the force confirmed. The inquiry centres on transactions involving a fundraising vehicle called Britain Means Business and a company controlled by Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice.
Payments under scrutiny
Press reports have detailed the sequence of donations under examination. Britain Means Business is reported to have made two payments of £250,000 to Reform in the run‑up to the 2024 general election. Separately, media reporting says a donor, Fiona Cottrell, gave £1 million to Britain Means Business in June 2024, and that approximately half of that sum was later passed to Reform.
| Entity | Amount | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Britain Means Business | £1,000,000 | Reportedly donated by Fiona Cottrell |
| Britain Means Business → Reform UK | 2 × £250,000 | Two payments in run‑up to 2024 election |
Responses from those involved
Richard Tice said he had been told the funds were paid to his company by Fiona Cottrell. He criticised the way the story emerged and suggested the Met leadership might be briefing journalists.
“The BBC article 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?”
Mr Tice also pointed to an ongoing National Crime Agency matter, saying: “Please remember the National Crime Agency is now having to investigate its own potential criminal offences against Reform leaders.”
A Reform UK spokesman reiterated the party’s position on donations, saying it takes “pride” in vetting and follows Electoral Commission guidance and the requirements of PPERA.
Wider context and potential consequences
The inquiry sits at the intersection of party funding rules and criminal law. Section 61 of PPERA relates to offences concerning the acceptance of impermissible donations and failures to comply with reporting requirements. If offences are established, they can attract significant penalties and damage to the parties or individuals involved.
- Electoral Commission referral triggered the Met investigation in February 2025.
- Two caution interviews have been carried out by the Met to date.
- The case concerns sizeable payments made in the run‑up to a national election, making the findings politically sensitive.
Previous reporting has linked the donor, Fiona Cottrell, and her son George Cottrell — a convicted fraudster — to other political funding arrangements, including support provided to figures associated with the Brexit era. Reform’s bank account was reportedly frozen during the 2024 election period following the receipt of donations, according to earlier coverage.
At this stage the Met has limited the public detail to procedural information about the referral and the statutory basis for the inquiry. Prosecutors and the Electoral Commission will be central to any subsequent decisions about charges or sanctions.
The investigation underlines continuing scrutiny of how political parties are funded and the mechanisms by which large donations are routed. For a party that has sought to capitalise on concerns about establishment politics, the legal and reputational stakes are high if the probe identifies unlawful conduct.
Any further comment from the Metropolitan Police or the Electoral Commission will be closely watched by parliamentarians and party funding watchdogs as the inquiry progresses.
