The short version
- The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has opened an investigation into Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice regarding a potential failure to declare relevant interests during a Commons debate.
- Separately, Metropolitan Police are examining financial transfers from a company controlled by Tice to the party, following revelations about donations linked to a donor with ties to convicted fraudsters.
- This inquiry adds to existing scrutiny of Reform UK leadership, including a paused investigation into leader Nigel Farage concerning a large undisclosed gift before his resignation.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has launched an investigation into Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK and Member of Parliament for Boston and Skegness. The inquiry, which began on July 28, centers on allegations that Tice failed to properly declare a relevant interest during a parliamentary proceeding. Under Rule 6 of the parliamentary code of conduct, members are required to be open about any interests in House proceedings or communications with officials, ensuring listeners understand the nature of those interests without needing to consult external registers.
Tice stated on social media that the complaint originated from an anti-Israel lobby group and related to a debate concerning Israeli influence on UK democracy. He argued that he had previously listed a trip to Israel, funded by a pro-Israel lobbying organization, in his official register of interests. However, parliamentary guidance indicates that merely referencing the register is insufficient; members must provide enough detail within their speech or communication to convey the interest clearly at the time.
This standards inquiry coincides with a separate police investigation into financial flows involving Tice and Reform UK. Authorities are examining payments made to the party by Britain Means Business, a company solely owned and controlled by Tice. The firm donated two sums of £250,000 each to the party ahead of the general election. These funds reportedly originated from Fiona Cottrell, a significant donor whose son has close associations with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and who is the mother of a convicted fraudster.
The scrutiny marks another development in ongoing controversies surrounding Reform UK’s financial transparency. Leader Nigel Farage previously faced a standards investigation regarding a £5 million gift from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne, which was paused after Farage resigned his seat to contest a by-election. Labour politicians have highlighted these overlapping probes as evidence of systemic issues within the party, noting that both its leader and deputy leader are currently subject to formal inquiries into their conduct and financial dealings.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Reform UK's Richard Tice investigated by parliamentary standards watchdog
- The Guardian World↗Standards watchdog investigating Reform UK’s Richard Tice
