Fraudster Cottrell was introduced as Farage’s chief of staff, says ex-Reform candidate

Nigel Farage with George Cottrell at the European parliament in Brussels in 2020. A Reform UK spokesperson says Cottrell has never had an official role with the party. Photograph: John Thys/AFP/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Nigel Farage with George Cottrell at the European parliament in Brussels in 2020. A Reform UK spokesperson says Cottrell has never had an official role with the party. Photograph: John Thys/AFP/Getty Images Convicted fraudster was introduced as Farage’s chief of staff, says ex-Reform candidate Exclusive: Questions grow over George Cottrell’s role as party says he has never held an official position UK politics live – latest updates Why is Farage quitting as an MP, only to stand again? George Cottrell was routinely introduced as Nigel Farage’s chief of staff before the 2024 election despite denials that he had any official role, according to a Reform UK candidate who stood aside for the party leader. Others who have been closely involved in the party have also claimed Cottrell arranged the Land Rovers that ferried Reform’s newly elected MPs to parliament, and that he covered the cost of a fundraising lunch with potential donors before the national vote. Questions about the role of Cottrell – who is a convicted fraudster – and the extent to which he has provided undeclared support for Farage have been building over the past week as the Reform leader comes under unprecedented pressure. On Wednesday, the Guardian revealed that a loan from Cottrell to Reform’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, was highlighted by bankers in suspicious activity reports. SARs are a way to raise concerns with the National Crime Agency; they are not proof of wrongdoing but flags for further investigation. Among other SARs about transactions involving Reform was one relating to a £1m donation from Cottrell’s mother, Fiona, to Britain Means Business, a fundraising organisation for the party. The Guardian understands bank staff were not satisfied that the funds had ultimately come from her. The Times reported this week that Cottrell had given out a business card with his name on and an official email address for Farage and had provided security, accommodation and staffing for the Reform leader before the election. Tony Mack, who was initially Reform’s candidate for the Essex constituency of Clacton in 2024, told the Guardian that Cottrell was introduced as Farage’s chief of staff during meetings. View image in fullscreen Nigel Farage and George Cottrell in Clacton before the election of June 2024. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian “I remember thinking that it was an odd term to use for someone who was unelected at that point,” said Mack, a psychotherapist and charity worker. Mack has previously alleged that Farage went back on a deal that would have given him a role in the party in return for stepping aside to allow the leader to run in Clacton. Mack recalled Cottrell as being “polite and cordial” and echoed long-repeated claims that the younger