Nigel Farage reportedly finalized a secret agreement to retake the leadership of Reform UK months before the 2024 general election, a development that casts new light on his timeline for returning to frontline politics. The arrangement, negotiated between March and April 2024, involved then-leader Richard Tice and was allegedly overseen by George Cottrell, an individual with a history of financial convictions who had provided financial support to Farage.
Details of the Reform UK Leadership Agreement
According to an investigation by The Sunday Times, the terms of this pact stipulated that upon Farage’s resumption of the leadership role, Reform UK would either repay or write off over £1 million in loans previously extended to the party by a company associated with Richard Tice. This agreement was reportedly presented to the party’s treasurer in mid-May 2024, seemingly contradicting Farage’s public statements that he did not decide to re-enter politics until June.
This earlier timeline is significant because Farage has cited his status as a media personality, rather than a politician, prior to June 3, 2024, as justification for not declaring a substantial £5 million gift from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, as well as in-kind support from George Cottrell. Electoral regulations typically require individuals to declare any benefits linked to political activities within the 12 months preceding an election.
Questions Surrounding Financial Declarations and Electoral Law
A source within Reform UK suggested to The Sunday Times that the agreement was drafted to accommodate the *possibility* of Farage’s return, rather than confirming it as a certainty. This source indicated that Farage’s initial focus was intended to be on campaigning for Donald Trump’s US presidential bid. Mehrtash A’Zami, who served as Reform UK’s treasurer at the time, stated that he was informed of the arrangement before the election was officially called. He reportedly received instructions to implement a repayment schedule once Farage officially took back the party’s leadership.
These disclosures also raise significant questions regarding Reform UK’s adherence to electoral law. The party is already under scrutiny from a Metropolitan Police investigation concerning the origins of its donations. The Sunday Times further reported that on June 10, 2024, the date designated for the first repayment under the deal, Reform UK transferred £200,000 to a personal account belonging to Richard Tice. This occurred despite the original loans having been provided by Tice’s company, Tisun Investments.
Discrepancies in Repayment Reporting
Electoral Commission filings reportedly indicate that the repayment was made to the company, not to Tice personally. If this information is inaccurate, it could constitute a potential criminal offense. Sources within the party allegedly indicated that internal discussions acknowledged the error and considered informing the Electoral Commission. However, the commission was reportedly never notified, and the accounts were subsequently filed in a manner suggesting the company had been repaid.
Mehrtash A’Zami, the former treasurer, explained that he relied on his staff for the payment processing and only became aware later that the funds had been directed to Tice’s personal account. He claimed to have attempted to notify the Electoral Commission but was prevented from doing so. By February 2025, A’Zami had departed from Reform UK and returned to business interests in Dubai. His departure, according to The Sunday Times, stemmed from disagreements over the management of payments and invoices.
Ongoing Investigations and Party Response
Nigel Farage, who resigned as the Member of Parliament for Clacton following public backlash over his association with George Cottrell, is currently seeking re-election in a by-election. He also faces two separate parliamentary investigations into undisclosed benefits he may have received.
A spokesperson for Reform UK has dismissed these latest allegations as “misinformation.” The party suggested the claims might be based on unlawfully obtained documents or were the result of “mischief-making by disgruntled former staff.” The spokesperson asserted that all relevant repayments were duly declared to the Electoral Commission.
Conclusion
The reported secret deal to reinstate Nigel Farage as leader of Reform UK months before the general election introduces complex questions about the timing of his political re-engagement and the subsequent financial declarations. The alleged discrepancies in loan repayments and reporting to the Electoral Commission, coupled with ongoing police and parliamentary investigations, place the party and its leadership under intense scrutiny. Reform UK has refuted these claims, characterizing them as inaccurate and potentially motivated by internal disputes.
