Nigel Farage’s December trip to meet Elon Musk was partly funded by former fraudster George Cottrell

Nigel Farage’s December visit to Florida, where he met billionaire Elon Musk, was part-funded by George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster and longtime Farage ally. Cottrell covered the £15,000 cost of Farage’s flight, marking the first financial backing he has given Reform UK since the election.

Farage, the leader of Reform UK, flew to Florida after attending an event at the New York Young Republicans Club. On 16 December, he met Musk at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, later claiming the discussion was vital for learning about the Trump campaign’s tactics. He declared: “We only have one more chance left to save the West.”

Cottrell, once nicknamed “Posh George,” has been a close associate of Farage since the Brexit era. His past, however, is far from clean. In 2016, US authorities arrested him on money laundering charges. He later pleaded guilty to wire fraud, serving eight months in prison. His crime, committed in 2014, predated his involvement with Farage’s political activities.

Despite having no formal role in Reform UK, Cottrell has remained closely involved, appearing at party events and accompanying Farage on the campaign trail. His mother, Fiona Cottrell, contributed £500,000 to Reform last year, raising further questions about his influence within the party.

Farage’s US excursions have been frequent since becoming MP for Clacton-on-Sea. The latest register of interests reveals another high-profile visit in January, this time bankrolled by cryptocurrency and aviation fuel investor Christopher Harborne, who covered £27,600 for Farage’s trip to Trump’s presidential inauguration. However, the Reform leader later admitted he didn’t “make the cut” for the ceremony itself, unlike Boris Johnson.

Adding to Farage’s troubles, Musk has since distanced himself from the Reform leader, publicly questioning whether he is the right person to lead the party. The rift reportedly stems from Farage’s decision to cut ties with far-right activist Tommy Robinson, a move that some of his more hardline supporters found controversial.

Farage’s deepening ties with American political circles have drawn increasing scrutiny, particularly given the financial backing from figures with controversial pasts. Reform UK has yet to comment on the revelations surrounding Cottrell’s involvement.