The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into two £250,000 donations made to Reform UK ahead of the 2024 general election by a company controlled by the party's deputy leader, Richard Tice. The payments, made by Britain Means Business Ltd, have led to Scotland Yard scrutinising potential breaches of political funding regulations.
The donations were reportedly made in two tranches of £250,000 in the run-up to the July 2024 election. Reform UK's bank account was frozen during the campaign period, according to reports, raising questions about the legality of the contributions. The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are examining payments made to a political party, working alongside the National Crime Agency.
Richard Tice, who serves as deputy leader under Nigel Farage, is the director of Britain Means Business Ltd. The company, which describes itself as a business networking organisation, has not commented on the investigation. Reform UK has also declined to respond to inquiries about the donations.
The inquiry was triggered by reports originally published by The Guardian, which detailed the transactions. The Electoral Commission has also been alerted, though it is not yet clear whether it has launched its own investigation. Political parties in the UK are required to declare donations over a certain threshold, and any funding from unregistered entities or foreign sources is strictly prohibited.
This is not the first time Reform UK's finances have attracted scrutiny. The party, which emerged from the Brexit Party, has previously faced questions over loans and donations from individuals with controversial backgrounds. In 2023, the party returned a donation from a convicted fraudster, and earlier this year it faced criticism for accepting a large sum from a property developer with a complex ownership structure.
The latest investigation is likely to reignite debates about the transparency and regulation of political donations in the United Kingdom. Critics argue that the current rules allow for loopholes, particularly when donations are routed through companies rather than individuals. There have been calls for stricter enforcement and for the prohibition of corporate donations altogether.
Richard Tice has been a prominent figure in Reform UK since its inception. He served as the party's chairman before becoming deputy leader and has stood as a candidate in several elections. His business interests have often overlapped with his political activities, a practice that some campaigners say blurs the lines between personal wealth and party funding.
The Metropolitan Police investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made. It remains to be seen whether the matter will be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for potential charges. For now, the donations and the freezing of Reform UK's bank account remain under official scrutiny, adding another layer of uncertainty to the party's financial operations.
