Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why is no one talking about Farage's £5 million gift/bribe?

238 replies

Firetreev · 06/05/2026 16:45

The right wing press had kittens about Starmer receiving some free glasses, yet are shtum about Farage receiving £5 million in the twelve months prior to him becoming an MP. No one gives someone £5 million pounds. Farage is bought and paid for by a shifty, Thailand based billionaire. Why don't voters and the media care?

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/29/revealed-nigel-farage-was-given-undisclosed-5m-by-crypto-billionaire-in-2024?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Exclusive: Nigel Farage was given undisclosed £5m by crypto billionaire in 2024

Reform leader changed his mind about standing as MP after gift from Thai-based crypto tycoon Christopher Harborne

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/apr/29/revealed-nigel-farage-was-given-undisclosed-5m-by-crypto-billionaire-in-2024?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

OP posts:
Thread gallery
21
Floatlikeafeather2 · 05/07/2026 22:17

Firetreev · 06/05/2026 19:10

Yes, he's one of the few in the media who isn't ignoring this story.

Show quote history

Where exactly are you looking/listening? It was on BBC all day yesterday, further discussion today, I'm sure it was also on Itv news yesterday, though it could have been Channel 4. I've been aware of it for a long time and this current discussion is actually a re-emergence. His story has "evolved" over this time.

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 22:14

Theolittle · 05/07/2026 22:07

There’s a world of difference between mistakenly reporting a phone as stolen after being mugged and later finding it, and being caught by the FBI in a sting operation agreeing to launder money.

mistakenly reporting a phone as stolen

I think we all know it wasn't a mistake

BIossomtoes · 05/07/2026 22:13

You do know that it’s often months before a case comes to court? Of course you do, you’re just being contrarian for the sake of it as usual.

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 22:10

BIossomtoes · 05/07/2026 21:55

2013 according to all the media reports.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/10/louise-haigh-pleaded-guilty-to-lying-that-phone-was-stolen-paper-shows

Edited
Show quote history

2013 according to all the media reports

BBC
'She said she pleaded guilty to making a false report to police at magistrates' court six months before becoming an MP in the 2015 election'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2l95750v08o

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh wearing a blue coat as she arrives at BBC Broadcasting House in London.

Louise Haigh admits pleading guilty to 2014 criminal offence

The transport secretary says she admitted to a criminal offence relating to a police investigation.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2l95750v08o

PerkingFaintly · 05/07/2026 22:10

IonianNerveGrip · 05/07/2026 21:55

Wonder why Murdoch has chosen now to turn on him.

Yes, that is an important question.

PerkingFaintly · 05/07/2026 22:09

Ta for that link to the 2-year-old Guardian article, Clav.

The more I read about Cottrell, the more opaque the sources of his money seem.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/03/george-cottrell-nigel-farage-reform-uk-montenegro

His lawyers said in 2024 that he didn't have access to family money, "but has made his considerable wealth by working since the age of 17".

His ex-girlfriend says he lost £16m at a poker game in Montenegro, and he has admitted to having a gambling problem as a youth.

So even after his US conviction he appears to have inordinate amounts of cash to splash, and be heavily involved in gambling (famously convenient for laundering money, should one be that way inclined).

The business he registered in Montenegro, named Private Family Office, was set up in the name of "George Co" rather than Cottrell.

It's all a bit murky.

‘Like a son to me’: George Cottrell, the high-rolling convicted fraudster at Nigel Farage’s side

Extravagant lifestyle and past controversies of Montenegro-based volunteer raise awkward questions for Reform leader

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/03/george-cottrell-nigel-farage-reform-uk-montenegro

Theolittle · 05/07/2026 22:07

There’s a world of difference between mistakenly reporting a phone as stolen after being mugged and later finding it, and being caught by the FBI in a sting operation agreeing to launder money.

BIossomtoes · 05/07/2026 22:04

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 22:03

I do know what a conviction is. We have no idea whether Cottrell would have been found guilty on the other charges if a trial had taken place.

Show quote history

Oh, I think we do.

BurntBroccoli · 05/07/2026 22:03

IonianNerveGrip · 05/07/2026 21:55

Wonder why Murdoch has chosen now to turn on him.

The net closing in…?

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 22:03

BIossomtoes · 05/07/2026 21:48

You do know what a plea deal means? He committed several crimes for which he wasn’t prosecuted.

Show quote history

I do know what a conviction is. We have no idea whether Cottrell would have been found guilty on the other charges if a trial had taken place.

TopPocketFind · 05/07/2026 21:59

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 21:55

It's a difficult balancing act I admit - nevertheless, any attack on Labour is a bonus.

Show quote history

I must have missed the attack on Labour Confused Louise Haigh whataboutery is just that.

£5m and now undeclared benefits from a convicted criminal

BIossomtoes · 05/07/2026 21:55

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 21:53

She said she pleaded guilty six months before becoming an MP in the 2015 general election, so late 2014/very early 2015 to allow for exaggeration.

Show quote history

2013 according to all the media reports.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/10/louise-haigh-pleaded-guilty-to-lying-that-phone-was-stolen-paper-shows

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 21:55

TopPocketFind · 05/07/2026 21:52

That is ok, but that doesn't mean I have ever said that I was not bothered by Corbyn's Russia Today links.

I am surprised at your tireless defence of Farage, I could understand Johnson to an extent but Farage?

Show quote history

It's a difficult balancing act I admit - nevertheless, any attack on Labour is a bonus.

IonianNerveGrip · 05/07/2026 21:55

Wonder why Murdoch has chosen now to turn on him.

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 21:53

BIossomtoes · 05/07/2026 21:47

She’s not a crook. Her conviction in 2013 is long since spent.

She said she pleaded guilty six months before becoming an MP in the 2015 general election, so late 2014/very early 2015 to allow for exaggeration.

TopPocketFind · 05/07/2026 21:52

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 21:48

I think I recognise which poster you are despite a name change.

Show quote history

That is ok, but that doesn't mean I have ever said that I was not bothered by Corbyn's Russia Today links.

I am surprised at your tireless defence of Farage, I could understand Johnson to an extent but Farage?

BeardySchnauzer · 05/07/2026 21:50

I don’t believe you should hold your friends to different standards than your foes. But Louise haigh isn’t really relevant to this thread

farages murky dealings are all bubbling to the surface - I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner.

BIossomtoes · 05/07/2026 21:48

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 21:44

Nevertheless, he was only convicted of a single count of wire fraud;

'he ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud as part of a plea deal under which the other charges were dropped. The crime was committed in 2014.'

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/03/george-cottrell-nigel-farage-reform-uk-montenegro

Show quote history

You do know what a plea deal means? He committed several crimes for which he wasn’t prosecuted.

PerkingFaintly · 05/07/2026 21:48

Nice try, Clav.

Reform denies rules broken by Farage after benefits from ally not declared
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0424end7vo

Cottrell faced 20 years in jail for 21 counts related to money laundering, fraud, blackmail and extortion.
But he eventually brokered a plea deal, admitted guilt to a charge of wire fraud and ended up serving just eight months in prison.
In the plea bargain, Cottrell said: "I falsely claimed that I would launder the criminal proceeds through my bank accounts for a fee."
He claimed that rather than launder the money, he and an associate planned on keeping it themselves.

George Cottrell seen standing next to Nigel Farage

Reform denies rules broken by Nigel Farage after benefits from ally were not declared

The Sunday Times says the Reform UK leader failed to register the support supplied by a cryptocurrency entrepreneur who had been convicted of fraud.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0424end7vo

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 21:48

TopPocketFind · 05/07/2026 21:36

How do you conclude I wasn't bothered by those links?

Show quote history

I think I recognise which poster you are despite a name change.

BIossomtoes · 05/07/2026 21:47

She’s not a crook. Her conviction in 2013 is long since spent.

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 21:44

TopPocketFind · 05/07/2026 21:35

https://bsky.app/profile/philbrickellmp.bsky.social/post/3mpvjb7tx2f2i

"Back in 2016, Cottrell was indicted in the US on 21 counts for crimes including money laundering, fraud and blackmail. He served eight months in prison for wire fraud after being caught in an FBI sting offering his services to undercover agents posing as drug traffickers.

Show quote history

Nevertheless, he was only convicted of a single count of wire fraud;

'he ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud as part of a plea deal under which the other charges were dropped. The crime was committed in 2014.'

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jul/03/george-cottrell-nigel-farage-reform-uk-montenegro

BeardySchnauzer · 05/07/2026 21:43

BIossomtoes · 05/07/2026 21:41

It makes the mistaken loss of a phone fade into insignificance, doesn’t it?

Show quote history

Mistaken loss is generous. She’s a crook

bit this is all irrelevant to this thread tbh as her being a crook doesn’t change the fact cottrell is a crook

BIossomtoes · 05/07/2026 21:41

TopPocketFind · 05/07/2026 21:35

https://bsky.app/profile/philbrickellmp.bsky.social/post/3mpvjb7tx2f2i

"Back in 2016, Cottrell was indicted in the US on 21 counts for crimes including money laundering, fraud and blackmail. He served eight months in prison for wire fraud after being caught in an FBI sting offering his services to undercover agents posing as drug traffickers.

Show quote history

It makes the mistaken loss of a phone fade into insignificance, doesn’t it?

TopPocketFind · 05/07/2026 21:36

Clavinova · 05/07/2026 21:34

You were not bothered about Jeremy Corbyn's 'Russia links' - his multiple appearances on Russia Today, Seumas Milne, his Director of Communications. Why are you bothered now?

Show quote history

How do you conclude I wasn't bothered by those links?