Bin-battling Reform leader Nigel Farage is under scrutiny once again for his alleged ties to a convicted fraudster who reportedly refers to him as “daddy.”
The aristocrat George Cottrell, known as “Posh George,” is accused of using his personal funds to cover office expenses, such as software, since the 2024 general election without disclosing these donations to the Electoral Commission, as mandated by law, according to The Sunday Times.
Mr. Farage, already the subject of one Parliamentary standards investigation and possibly a second, recently announced his resignation to contest a by-election in Clacton. He claimed to be a victim of establishment manipulation, but his main opponent in the upcoming election is likely to be the satirical candidate Count Binface.
Political parties can be penalized for not declaring donations exceeding £500, including money, services, goods, or discounts. Reform UK asserts that Mr. Cottrell, who served time in 2017 in the US for wire fraud, is an unpaid volunteer.
The recent allegation follows reports in The Times that Mr. Cottrell provided Mr. Farage with benefits like security, drivers, staff, and accommodation. The Liberal Democrats have urged the Parliamentary standards commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, to investigate the matter.
Mr. Farage’s legal team has refuted claims of financial support from Mr. Cottrell, as reported by the Sunday Times. Mr. Greenberg is already looking into a £5 million ‘gift’ from crypto tycoon Christopher Harborne to Mr. Farage before the general election.
Reform maintains that the ‘gift’ did not need to be declared since it was a personal contribution. Regulations stipulate that donations and political gifts within 12 months before an MP takes office must be registered.
Labour MP Phil Brickell has also called for an investigation into reports that Mr. Farage lobbied the Bank of England to abandon a cryptocurrency plan that could adversely affect Mr. Harborne. Both Mr. Farage and Reform deny any misconduct.
The Metropolitan Police is currently investigating two donations of £250,000 each made by Mr. Cottrell’s mother, Fiona, in May 2024. Authorities are probing whether the origin of the funds was concealed and if they came from impermissible sources, including non-UK voters and overseas companies. Political parties are prohibited from accepting money from such sources.
A Labour spokesperson expressed concern over the escalating controversies surrounding Reform and its finances, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Former Reform candidate Tony Mack revealed to The Guardian that Mr. Cottrell affectionately referred to Mr. Farage as “daddy,” with Mr. Farage previously describing the younger man, aged 32, as a son figure.
Reform clarified in a statement that George Cottrell has no official role within the party and is an unpaid volunteer, denying any formal association with him in the past.
The party has chosen not to comment on the recent allegations to the Sunday Times. Queries have been directed to Reform UK and Mr. Cottrell’s legal representation by the Mirror.