'Posh George': Who is aristocrat and convicted criminal at heart of Farage controversy?
Summary
George Cottrell, a 32-year-old aristocrat and convicted criminal, is involved in a controversy around Nigel Farage and Reform UK. Cottrell provided support, including security and social media help, to Farage before Farage became an MP, but Farage did not declare these benefits as required by parliamentary rules.Key Facts
- George Cottrell is a British aristocrat born in 1993 with a family background linked to a soap business.
- He was expelled from school due to a gambling addiction and later worked closely with Nigel Farage.
- Cottrell volunteered for Farage’s campaign in 2015 and became head of fundraising for Ukip at age 22.
- In 2016, Cottrell was arrested in the US for a money laundering sting operation and later pleaded guilty to wire fraud, serving eight months in prison.
- After release, he returned to the UK and later moved to Montenegro, where he was involved with an online betting company using cryptocurrency.
- Nigel Farage reportedly received help from Cottrell before becoming an MP but did not declare this as a benefit, which is required under parliamentary rules.
- Reform UK says no rules were broken because the support was personal and came before Farage’s election.
- The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner is investigating whether Farage broke rules related to another financial gift from billionaire Christopher Harborne.
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