Labour asks Electoral Commission to investigate Reform UK over donations
Summary
Labour has asked the UK Electoral Commission to investigate whether Reform UK broke rules on political donations after reports revealed large sums of money were transferred by George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster, to his mother who then donated to the party. Reform UK denies any wrongdoing and says it followed all rules, while the police are also looking into the matter.Key Facts
- Labour’s chair, Bridget Phillipson, requested an investigation into Reform UK’s donations.
- George Cottrell, convicted of fraud, transferred over $2 million to his mother before she donated to Reform UK in 2024.
- The Electoral Commission has referred the case to the Metropolitan police.
- Funds were given directly to Reform UK or through Britain Means Business, a fundraising group linked to the party.
- Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, directs Britain Means Business, which donated £500,000 to the party before the 2024 election.
- Reform UK says it followed all election donation rules and will cooperate with any investigations.
- Cottrell lives in Montenegro and advises Nigel Farage but Reform says he is only a volunteer.
- Labour says if the allegations are true, Reform accepted money from someone not legally allowed to donate.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
