George Cottrell, who spent time in an Arizona prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud, funded the Reform UK leader’s private security, staff, transport, and accommodation in the year before he was elected to the Commons, the Sunday Times newspaper reported over the weekend.
Farage also reportedly stayed at 32-year-old Cottrell’s five-story home near Buckingham Palace.
The Reform UK leader said in a statement to the Daily Express newspaper Sunday night: “I have done no wrongdoing, followed the rules and I am now considering legal action against The Sunday Times.
“It’s now clear the establishment will stop at nothing to hurt Reform – we want to smash their cosy consensus.”
His political rivals are leaping on it
The allegations are easy ammunition for Farage’s opponents, eager for a chance to dent his ratings.
The Liberal Democrats have already written to Greenberg asking him to investigate the Cottrell support. A Labour spokesperson said: “The truth is, Farage and his party are just in it for themselves — they’re entirely unfit for office.” Meanwhile the Tories, who have most to gain from a Farage takedown, have also called for an investigation, with Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake saying the public “deserve transparency.”