Reform UK Elite Gather for Controversial Money Laundering Book Launch
In a striking convergence of politics and finance, senior figures from Reform UK attended the launch of a provocative new book titled How to Launder Money at the luxurious Raffles hotel on Whitehall in London. The event drew notable political personalities, with party leader Nigel Farage among the guests, though he notably allowed the spotlight to remain firmly on the book's authors.
Authors with Controversial Backgrounds
The book is co-authored by George Cottrell, a close aide to Nigel Farage, and Lawrence Burke Files, a veteran financial investigator. Cottrell's background includes a conviction for wire fraud in the United States in 2017, for which he served several months in prison. At the launch, Cottrell humorously addressed his past, clarifying that the book contains nothing to assist criminals and joking that much of his research is held by the FBI.
Published by Biteback, which is owned by Lord Ashcroft, the book is subtitled A Guide for Law Enforcement, Prosecutors and Policymakers. Its promotional text asserts that criminals already know how to launder money, and this work offers their inside story, aiming to educate authorities rather than enable illegal activities.
High-Profile Attendees and Political Connections
The guest list read like a who's who of Reform UK and associated circles. Attendees included Reform MP Richard Tice, the party's treasurer Nick Candy, and London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham. They were joined by GB News presenter and former Brexit party MEP Martin Daubney, as well as James Orr, a Cambridge University philosophy professor and senior adviser to Farage.
In the book's introduction, Cottrell and Burke Files describe anti-money laundering laws as "a convoluted failure" that burdens legitimate businesses. They write, "How to Launder Money offers a peek behind the wizard's curtain to see the bent levers of finance and how they are pulled."
Authors' Backgrounds and Legal Issues
Lawrence Burke Files brings over 40 years of experience in finance, primarily as an investigator and expert in due diligence, including a former role as director of corporate finance for American National investment bank. George Cottrell, exposed to finance from a young age, started his career as a financier in London before turning to politics in 2014.
Cottrell's legal troubles are detailed in the book. In 2016, he was arrested by IRS officers at the Republican National Convention while with a group of British Brexiteers, including Farage. The arrest related to money laundering conspiracy charges from his finance years. He served eight months in prison, with most charges dropped, after cooperating with federal agents as part of a plea deal.
Political Commentary and De-banking Concerns
The book touches on political issues, including a discussion on politically exposed persons (PEPs) and banks' "de-risking" practices. It cites Nigel Farage's experience with Coutts bank closing his account due to his political views and PEP status, arguing that de-banking has shifted from money-laundering risks to social belief systems. The authors warn, "Not even Orwell could have imagined this; the slope gets slipperier by the day."
Burke Files told the Guardian that the book aims to spark conversation about money laundering, sharing criminal knowledge with law enforcement and the public. He stated, "It's also a call to review the failures and perverse impacts they have had on people, finance and international development. We hope it will be a catalyst to start the discussions to make a difference."
The launch event underscores the intertwining of Reform UK's political sphere with contentious financial topics, highlighting the party's engagement with issues of law enforcement, banking, and personal liberty in the modern economic landscape.
