伦敦警察厅正在调查向改革英国党（Reform UK）进行的献金安排[1]。这些款项通过该党副领导人Richard Tice控制的公司Britain Means Business流入，涉及Fiona Cottrell向该公司转账100万英镑，其中部分随后以两笔各25万英镑的捐款形式流向改革英国党[1]。国家犯罪局无法追踪这笔100万英镑转账的资金来源[1]。
除了通过Britain Means Business的款项外，Cottrell还直接向改革英国党提出两笔各25万英镑的捐款[1]。这些捐款发生在2024年大选前几周[1]。Fiona Cottrell及其子George已根据《政治党派、选举和公投法案2000》第61条款作为刑事嫌疑人接受审问[1]。警方于2025年2月根据选举委员会的转介启动了调查[1]。
Richard Tice对此回应称："这是我第一次听说此事"，并质疑警方为何先向BBC通报而非与相关方直接联系[1]。
The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into donations made to Reform UK through a company controlled by the party's deputy leader, Richard Tice.[1] The inquiry centers on payments funneled through Britain Means Business, which received a £1 million transfer from Fiona Cottrell, with approximately half subsequently directed to Reform UK in the form of two £250,000 donations in the weeks preceding the 2024 general election.[1] Additionally, Cottrell made two separate £250,000 donations directly to Reform UK in May 2024.[1]
Both Fiona Cottrell and her son George have been interviewed under caution as suspects under Section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.[1] The investigation was initiated in February 2025 following a referral from the Electoral Commission.[1] The National Crime Agency has been unable to trace the source of the £1 million transfer made by Cottrell to Britain Means Business.[1] Richard Tice responded to the inquiry by stating this was the first he had heard of the matter and questioned why police had alerted the BBC before approaching the relevant parties.[1]