'Posh George' is a colourful guy, but I don't dump friends, says Nigel Farage

By JASON GROVES, POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 23:37, 30 July 2026 | Updated: 23:37, 30 July 2026 Nigel Farage on Thursday said he will stand by a convicted fraudster who is reported to be under investigation by the police over donations to Reform. Mr Farage described crypto gambler George Cottrell as a 'trusted friend', adding: 'I don't dump trusted friends unless they betray me – it's as simple as that.' The Reform UK leader also revealed he had abdominal surgery in recent weeks. Cottrell – nicknamed 'Posh George' because of his aristocratic heritage – is alleged to have been interviewed by detectives investigating the source of donations to Reform in the run-up to the 2024 election. The Guardian reported this week that he transferred more than $2million (£1.5million) to his mother Fiona days before she donated similar sums to Reform. Cottrell is a controversial figure who has a US conviction for fraud and has no formal role in Reform – but is close to Mr Farage, who has described him as 'like a son to me'. He is reported to have funded the cost of providing the Reform leader's security during 2024. He now resides in Montenegro, but his lawyers insist he is a permissible donor in the UK despite living abroad. Loyal: Nigel Farage with George Cottrell, left, at a 2019 march. Mr Farage has reiterated his support for his 'trusted friend' The Reform UK leader also revealed he had abdominal surgery in recent weeks. He is seen here speaking at the CPAC GB conference in London Reform's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick on Thursday said he is 'entirely confident that Reform followed all electoral rules at the time when the donations were made'. Mr Farage told The Spectator magazine that he would be standing by his old friend. He said: 'This "Posh George" stuff – I mean what are they even talking about? Of course, he's a Tatler figure, an interesting bloke and a colourful guy. But these are trusted friends. I don't dump trusted friends – it's as simple as that.' In a recent statement, the Metropolitan Police said it was investigating alleged offences under section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, which outlaws attempts to disguise the source of political donations. Cottrell and his mother Fiona have not commented on the latest claims. Labour on Thursday night asked the Electoral Commission to investigate the allegations. The latest claims about Cottrell pose more difficult questions for Reform, which is battling a slew of allegations about its finances. Mr Farage is under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner over his failure to declare a £5million gift from Thai-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The donation was made before Mr Farage became an MP and he has said it was a personal gift which would help fund his substantial security costs. Last month he triggered a by-election in his Clacton constituency saying it should be for local voters to deliver a verdict on his probity. The other main political parties have refused to stand against Mr Farage in the August 13 contest. It means he will face Count Binface and other novelty candidates, though an animal rights activist dressed as a fox pulled out after describing the contest as a 'farce' and a 'circus'. Mr Farage could face yet another by-election if the standards inquiry finds against him. Meanwhile, Mr Farage revealed he had gone 'under the knife' for abdominal surgery the day before Reform colleague Ann Widdecombe was killed. He was mocked online for walking stiffly when he laid a wreath for her a few days later. Sources say Mr Farage had still been 'pretty sore' from the surgery at the time.