Reform UK’s fury over Farage and Tice bank statement leaks amid major new twist | Politics | News
Reform UK accused the National Crime Agency of illegally leaking confidential banking information on senior figures in the party, while deputy leader Mr Tice demanded an urgent investigation into what he claimed were criminal complaints. The row erupted after Mr Tice claimed details of his and Reform leader Nigel Farage’s private financial dealings had been passed to newspapers within the NCA. Mr Farage today triggered a by-election in the Clacton constituency where he said he would contest.
According to reports published for the first time TelegramMr Tice wrote to NCA chief executive Graeme Biggar calling for an internal investigation after information about bank transactions involving both Reform politicians emerged in the media. The allegations center on suspicious activity reports (SARs), confidential reports submitted by banks under anti-money laundering rules when transactions are deemed worthy of investigation. Reports are routinely assessed by the NCA, but the vast majority do not require further action.
Mr Tice said he was unaware that any of his transactions had been flagged under the SAR system until he was contacted by The Guardian. He claims the newspaper had access to details of various accounts and multiple transactions spanning months.
The deputy reform leader believes the NCA is the only organization with all the published information and accuses one or more people within the agency of leaking classified material.
Among the reported transactions was an £80,000 bridge loan provided by businessman George Cottrell to Mr Tice’s property company Tisun Investments in December 2024. The loan was repaid in February 2025.
Mr Cottrell, who was convicted of wire fraud in the United States in 2017, was also linked to the financial support provided to Mr Farage. Separately, Mr Tice’s think tank Britain Means Business received a £1 million donation from Mr Cottrell’s mother Fiona in June 2024; £500,000 of this donation was later donated to Reform UK and reported to the Electoral Commission.
Allegations come one after another Sunday Times In publishing details of financial dealings between Mr Cottrell and Mr Farage Guard had previously reported that billionaire investor Christopher Harborne had made a personal donation of £5 million to Mr Farage.
Mr Farage is currently under investigation by Parliament’s standards commissioner over his decision not to declare a £5 million donation. He continued to ensure that finances covered his personal security at a time when he was not engaged in front-line politics and therefore did not need to register.
Speaking at a press conference in Westminster on Tuesday, Mr Farage claimed Reform had been targeted through the use of illegally obtained information.
He said: “Over the last few months we have been exposed to the use of illegally obtained information, unequivocal evidence of hacking and now leaks from government agencies.”
Mr Tice told The Telegraph: “I believe the National Crime Agency leaked numerous bank statements from different banks to The Guardian, as well as secret conversations between me and my bank managers.
“One or more people at the NCA have committed numerous criminal acts as a result. This appears to be a deliberate tactic to defame and discredit me. I have nothing to hide. I think the same happened against Nigel Farage.”
An NCA spokesman said: “The NCA does not confirm or deny the receipt of SARs or comment on how SARs are used. SARs are confidential and any breach of this confidentiality risks committing a whistleblowing offense under the Proceeds of Crime Act.”
