Convicted fraudster was introduced as Farage’s chief of staff, says ex-Reform candidate

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Exclusive: Questions grow over George Cottrell’s role as party says he has never held an official position</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/jul/09/andy-burnham-keir-starmer-labour-nigel-farage-binface-reform-latest-news-updates">UK politics live – latest updates</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/07/why-farage-quitting-mp-scrutiny-gifts-clacton-reform-uk">Why is Farage quitting as an MP, only to stand again?</a></p></li></ul><p>George Cottrell was routinely introduced as Nigel Farage’s chief of staff before the 2024 election despite denials that he had any official role, according to a Reform UK candidate who stood aside for the party leader.</p><p>Others who have been closely involved in the party have also claimed Cottrell arranged the Land Rovers that ferried Reform’s newly elected MPs to parliament, and that he covered the cost of a fundraising lunch with potential donors before the national vote.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/09/fraudster-cottrell-was-introduced-as-farage-chief-of-staff-says-ex-reform-candidate">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.