The Reform UK leader is facing pressure to step down as he is weakening the party, according to veteran broadcaster Piers Morgan
Farage has faced criticism for accepting donations from a convicted criminal (file) (Image: Getty)
Piers Morgan has called on Nigel Farage to be removed from his post in Reform UK over a failure to disclose the identity of a major donor. The Reform leader did not disclose that a convicted criminal and cryptogambler had funded his operation a year prior to gaining Clacton-on-Sea’s parliamentary seat.
Morgan has since made two statements on social media app X criticising Farage. He wrote: “The bungs keep on coming…” Just 40 minutes later he posted: “He has to go.” Farage appears to have broken parliamentary rules by accepting accommodation, drivers, and security that were paid for by George Cottrell, a convicted criminal who was jailed for his part in a US money laundering conspiracy.
Farage still benefits from Cottrell’s support according to a report in the Sunday Times which outlined how the Reform leader had stayed in a five-storey townhouse rented by the convicted fraudster.
Cottrell has no official role in Reform but insiders speaking with the Sunday Times described him as Farage’s closest aide. Farage has defended the decision not to disclose the pre-election support as he argues this predates his decision to run for parliament. He also said he does not need to disclose the use of Cottrell’s townhouse as this is provided to him by a close friend.
Cottrell said he expected nothing in return for his support for Farage and did not need the Reform leader’s help. Cottrell is heavily involved in Tether.bet, an offshore online bookmaker specialising in cryptocurrency transfers. Middlemen facilitating Tether.bet as a gambling site for wealthy UK customers told customers to deposit their money into one of two companies.
A spokesperson for Reform says Farage has done nothing wrong (file) (Image: Getty)
One company is owned by Mowbray Jackson, a reform employee who serves as the party’s data protection officer. David Robery owns the second of the two companies and acts as a consultant to Tether.bet. Robery is said to have lived near to Cottrell in Worcestershire. Both men declined to give comment to the Sunday Times.
A Reform spokesman said: “It comes as no surprise that The Sunday Times has chosen to publish this baseless and contrived story, covering a period of time when Nigel Farage was not even an active politician let alone an elected one, given that the newspaper backed the Labour Party at the last general election.
“Contrary to the story’s tone, no parliamentary rules have been broken. We also understand The Sunday Times has a new podcast to promote, which it seems very excited about. Its agenda should be plain for all to see.”
The Daily Express has contacted Reform UK for comment.
