The finances and business activities of Nigel Farage’s top Fundraising Advisor, George Cottrell, are reportedly being probed by HMRC following an article published by Evolve Politics last week.
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Cottrell, a convicted fraudster who has worked closely with the Reform leader for the last decade, is understood to be the focus on a scoping investigation by the UK tax authorites, primarily focused on his tax residency and business affairs.
Lawyers for Cottrell say that they are “not aware” of any “probe or inquiry” by HMRC or any other organisation. However, sources within HMRC have reportedly confirmed to The Guardian that an informal investigation is underway.
As reported by Evolve last week:
“Cottrell already has a vast repertoire of misdemeanours and accusations to his name – including a criminal conviction for fraud, and involvement in organisations that broke electoral law during Brexit.
“In addition, Cottrell has also been accused of money laundering on several occasions, and has even been accused of funneling money through cryptocurrency to illegally fund a Montenegrin political party – accusations which he, through his lawyers, has denied.
“And, as if that wasn’t enough already, Cottrell has quite literally just written a book entitled: ‘How To Launder Money’.”
“Despite all of these massive red flags and huge neon flashing ‘WARNING’ signs against both his character and conduct, Cottrell has become arguably Farage’s most trusted fundraising advisor over the last decade – with the Reform leader even going so far as to describe him as ‘like a son to me’, and being flanked by ‘Posh George’ at virtually every public and private event.
HMRC are said to be primarily concerned with Cottrell’s income and wealth obtained via his involvement in high stakes gambling.
One high profile gambling incident involving Cottrell is said to have occured at the luxurious Maestral Casino in Budva, Montenegro, where he reportedly lost £16m in one night in a game of poker.
Cottrell has spent a lot of time in Montenegro over the past years, and in 2023 became embroiled in an incident where senior members of the then Montenegrin government accused him of illegally funding the opposition candidate’s general election campaign through cryptocurrency – claims which he, through his lawyers, has denied.
Cottrell’s lawyers also say he now legally resides in Montenegro, but questions over his compliance with tax residency rules are allegedly another aspect of investigation for UK tax officials.
In addition, an address linked to Cottrell has reportedly seen the delivery of numerous high value items, such as art works, on a variety of dates since last November – apparently raising the suspicions of HMRC.
HMRC are also reportedly looking into Cottrell’s use of crypto exchanges, including transactions understood to have been made through the crypto exchange Tether.bet and its parent company GT Holding.
However, Cottrell’s lawyers told The Guardian that he was not a director, shareholder or stakeholder in Tether.bet or GT Holding, and has had “no involvement” in any companies that use cryptocurrencies.
Cottrell was introduced to Farage in 2013 by his aristocratic uncle, Lord Hesketh, a former treasurer of UKIP, and he qucikly rose his way up the party ranks – first being made head of fundraising, and later UKIP’s deputy treasurer during the 2015 general election campaign.
Whilst he currently holds no official role at Reform, Cottrell can be regularly seen flanking Farage at nearly every public and private event.
Last year, Cottrell’s mother donated a total of £750,000 to Reform UK – giving one donation of £250,000 in February 2025, and two of £250,000 in May 2025 – seemingly the only political donations she has ever made to any political party, according to the Electoral Commission.
To read more about Cottrell, his incredibly chequered history and his links to Farage, please follow this link to last week’s article.