STORY
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and deputy leader Richard Tice have begun legal action against the National Crime Agency, alleging that confidential financial information connected with suspicious activity reports was disclosed to journalists. The Financial Times reported that the claim seeks more than £25,000 in damages, an admission of fault and disclosure of who received the information.
The case concerns banking information linked to large financial transactions involving the two politicians. Reports have referred to a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency businessman Christopher Harborne to Farage and a £1 million transfer from Fiona Cottrell to a company connected with Tice. Suspicious activity reports are submitted by financial institutions where activity requires examination and do not themselves establish criminal wrongdoing. Farage and Tice have denied wrongdoing in relation to their finances.
The NCA has said that an internal investigation is under way and has declined to comment further on the litigation. Separate scrutiny of Reform UK finances has included a Metropolitan Police investigation into donations made through Britain Means Business. The legal action against the NCA is distinct from those inquiries and centres on the allegation that confidential banking information was improperly disclosed.