Police probe donations to Britain’s far-right Reform party

Reform UK’s finances draw police scrutiny as Farage fights to reclaim his seat in a by-election against parody candidate Count Binface.British police are investigating at least 500,000 pounds ($670,000) in donations made to the far-right Reform UK party, adding to a widening campaign-finance scandal that prompted party leader Nigel Farage to abruptly resign his seat in parliament this week.Police said on Friday that they were investigating potential offences under laws governing party donations, which could include concealment of the true source of funding or providing false information to a party treasurer.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Nigel Farage resigns as MP, will run in UK by-electionlist 2 of 3Why has UK Reform’s Nigel Farage resigned as MP? What happens next?list 3 of 3‘Not Nigel Farage’: Who is Count Binface, contesting as MP for Clacton, UK?end of listDetectives are scrutinising two 250,000-pound ($335,500) donations made ahead of the 2024 general election by Fiona Cottrell, the mother of George Cottrell, a convicted felon and long-term financier of Farage’s political activities.Authorities are investigating whether the funds originated from impermissible foreign or corporate sources. Police said two individuals have been interviewed under caution, though no arrests have been made.The investigation is part of a broader financial cloud hanging over Reform UK.Separate reports indicate banks flagged a further 1 million-pound ($1.3m) transaction from Ms Cottrell to a company run by Reform deputy leader Richard Tice to the National Crime Agency (NCA) due to anti-money laundering concerns.Tice on Friday dismissed the allegations as a “politically motivated smear campaign” and insisted no party officials had been interviewed.Farage, a vocal former Brexit campaigner, abruptly announced this week that he would resign his parliamentary seat and stand again, seeking a vote of confidence from voters in response to criticism over his finances. The by-election will take place on August 13.