Background and Controversy
Multi-millionaire Reform backer George Cottrell's contributions to the party have triggered calls for a parliamentary standards inquiry into Nigel Farage. The 32-year-old, who admitted a count of wire fraud in the US in 2017, made a series of contributions to Farage in the year before he clinched the Clacton seat and took his place in the Commons as an MP.
Cottrell was previously involved with Farage's former party, UKIP, as a volunteer in the Brexit referendum campaign. His contributions towards security and social media staff who worked on Farage's online content in the year before he was elected – as reported by the Sunday Times – have come under scrutiny. The publication also claims Farage used a property rented by Cottrell near Buckingham Palace.
Denials and Investigation
Reform denies that any funding rules have been broken. Robert Jenrick, Reform's Treasury spokesman, told the BBC that Farage did not need to register the support as he received it in a 'purely personal capacity' before he became an MP. In a statement, Farage also said that he had 'done no wrongdoing' and followed the rules. The Liberal Democrats have asked the parliamentary standards commissioner to investigate.
Personal Life and Connections
Cottrell was born in Gloucestershire. His mother, Fiona Cottrell, briefly dated King Charles long before he ascended the throne, according to the Sunday Times. His grandfather, the third Baron Manon, inherited 'a family soap empire.' He attended Malvern College in Worcestershire but was reportedly expelled for gambling. However, his aristocratic connections and financial acumen opened doors in the hedge fund world centred around Mayfair.
A source told Metro: 'George didn't finish his A levels, but he is very astute and has a good financial brain. He comes from the landed gentry and money has never been an issue.' Cottrell was head of fundraising for UKIP in 2015, at the age of 22, and was at Farage's side as the Brexit referendum result was announced the following year.
Relationship with Farage
The source added that Cottrell sees Nigel Farage as a 'father figure' and even refers to him as 'daddy'. They described him as a wealthy, blue-blooded 'chancer' splashing money on gambling tables worldwide. The source said: 'George is a big admirer of Nigel. They both come from a financial background, they like a drink and a smoke, and are on the same page politically. He calls Nigel "Daddy"; he considers him his role model in life. That's the dynamic of the relationship.'
They continued: 'He is very handsome and well-connected and has access to super wealthy people. He has talents, but a lot of his interests are in drinking, gambling, smoking, and dating Italian models.'
Legal Issues and Ventures
Cottrell was jailed for eight months in the US in 2017 after pleading guilty to a charge of wire fraud after admitting attempting to defraud criminals on the dark web by posing as a money launderer. Upon his release, he moved back to the UK and dated Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo. The source claimed Cottrell lost millions betting in Croatia recently, but seemed able to absorb any losses.
According to the Sunday Times, Cottrell is a cryptocurrency entrepreneur and is involved with the offshore gambling website Tether.bet. He also reportedly helped Farage negotiate his £1,500,000 fee for appearing on I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!, won by his ex, Georgia.
Farage's Response
A spokesman for Farage said: 'It comes as no surprise that the Sunday Times has chosen to publish this baseless and contrived story, covering a period of time when Nigel Farage was not even an active politician, let alone an elected one. Contrary to the story's tone, no parliamentary rules have been broken.'
