Met Police investigates Reform UK donations amid party's declining popularity

The Metropolitan Police are investigating donations totalling £500,000 to Reform UK from Fiona Cottrell, the mother of a convicted fraudster, with the party's deputy leader Richard Tice also facing scrutiny over payments from his company. Source: BBC, Guardian

The investigation

The BBC reports that police are examining two donations of £250,000 each to Reform UK from Britain Means Business, a company controlled by Tice, made before the 2024 general election. Tice said he was unaware of the investigation and questioned whether the Met is engaged in a "politically motivated smear campaign". Source: BBC Separately, the Guardian notes that the police are already investigating £500,000 in donations directly from Fiona Cottrell, related to laws against concealing impermissible donors. Source: Guardian

Party's response

Internal briefing documents circulated to Reform UK councillors instruct them to respond to questions about the investigation by calling it an "establishment stitch-up". Source: Guardian Tice echoed this sentiment, claiming the Met is briefing the BBC before contacting interested parties. Source: BBC

Political impact

New YouGov polling shows Nigel Farage's popularity has fallen to a net favourability rating of -46, the joint lowest in a decade. Reform UK leads in voting intention with 23%, but Labour (21%) and the Conservatives (20%) are within striking distance. Source: Guardian The Labour Party appears to enjoy a "Burnham bounce", with its highest figure since January. Source: Guardian