Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, has announced that he and the party’s leader, Nigel Farage, are suing the National Crime Agency (NCA) for alleged breaches involving the leaking of confidential financial information. Tice, who also serves as the MP for Boston and Skegness, made the announcement during an appearance on Talk TV, asserting that the NCA has committed «multiple criminal offences» and is seeking both an apology and financial damages.
Allegations of Data Leaks
Tice accused the NCA of leaking private financial details, which he claims include «individual bank statements, bank transfers, and details of conversations with bank managers from different banks.» This revelation follows a series of reports indicating that payments made to Tice’s company, Britain Means Business, by the mother of convicted fraudster George Cottrell, were flagged to the NCA under its Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) program.
Background of the Controversy
According to Tice, he first learned about the flagged payments when contacted by a journalist from the Guardian, who reported on the situation. In response, Tice sent a letter to the NCA requesting an investigation into whether they were responsible for leaking this sensitive financial information to the media.
The NCA has been conducting an internal investigation regarding the matter; however, Tice expressed his dissatisfaction with the agency’s progress, stating, «it’s playing for time and we’ve said we’re done with it.» A spokesperson for Reform UK confirmed that legal claims have been filed at the High Court, although the specific details of these claims have not been disclosed to the public.
Financial Transactions Under Scrutiny
Reports indicate that Tice’s company, Tisun Investment, received a loan of £80,000 from Cottrell in late 2024. Additionally, Britain Means Business reportedly received a £1 million donation from Cottrell’s mother during the same period. Data from the Electoral Commission reveals that Britain Means Business subsequently donated £500,000 to Reform UK.
Parliamentary Guidelines and Exemptions
The scrutiny surrounding Cottrell’s relationship with Reform UK has intensified, particularly following a report by the Sunday Times, which indicated that Cottrell had provided Farage with various forms of support, including security and social media staff, in the year leading up to Farage’s election as an MP. Under parliamentary rules, newly elected MPs are required to declare any gifts or benefits received in the twelve months preceding their election that relate to their «parliamentary or political activities.» However, there is an exemption for gifts and benefits deemed to be «purely personal.»
Reform UK has contended that Farage did not violate these guidelines, asserting that the support provided by Cottrell was in a «purely personal capacity.»
NCA’s Response
A spokesperson for the NCA acknowledged the complaints filed by Tice and Farage, stating that the agency’s Professional Standards Unit is currently conducting an investigation. The spokesperson added that, due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, it would not be appropriate to provide further comments at this time.
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