The Metropolitan Police are investigating payments made to Reform UK that were first revealed by The Guardian, including two £250,000 donations from a company called Britain Means Business ahead of the 2024 election.
Key facts
- The Metropolitan Police are investigating payments made to Reform UK.
- The inquiry concerns two donations of £250,000 each from Britain Means Business.
- The donations were made before the 2024 election.
- Payments were reportedly made via a company controlled by Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice.
- The payments were first revealed by The Guardian.
The Metropolitan Police have opened an investigation into payments made to Reform UK, according to The Guardian, which first revealed the transactions. The inquiry is being handled by Scotland Yard.
According to The Guardian, the investigation is looking at two donations of £250,000 each made to the party by a company called Britain Means Business. Both payments were made before the 2024 election.
The Guardian reported that the payments were made to Reform UK via a company controlled by the party’s deputy leader, Richard Tice.
The payments at the centre of the police inquiry were first brought to public attention through earlier reporting by The Guardian. The current investigation marks an escalation, moving the matter from journalistic scrutiny to a formal police examination.
As reported by The Guardian, Scotland Yard is now scrutinising the circumstances surrounding the donations. No further details about the scope or timeline of the investigation were provided in the source reporting.
Why it matters
Scrutiny of political donations touches on the integrity of party funding rules in the run-up to a general election. An investigation involving a senior figure in a prominent political party raises questions that voters and regulators closely follow.
Frequently asked questions
Who is investigating the payments to Reform UK?
According to The Guardian, the Metropolitan Police, also known as Scotland Yard, are investigating the payments.
How much money is involved in the investigation?
The inquiry concerns two donations of £250,000 each made by a company called Britain Means Business, according to The Guardian.
When were the donations made?
The Guardian reported that the two donations were made before the 2024 election.