Tax authorities examine finances of Farage ally

The finances of one of Nigel Farage's key confidants are being examined by the UK's tax and revenue authorities amid questions over his income from wealth and business activities, the Guardian understands.

- Anna Isaac

The scoping exercise by HMRC is said to be focused on tax residency and the business affairs of George Cottrell, whom Reform UK's leader Farage has described as "like a son to me". Known as "Posh George", Cottrell, 31, leads an expensive lifestyle, frequently travelling around the world and regularly 2 → using a £4m house in one of the wealthiest areas of west London.

Cottrell has emerged as a senior figure within Reform's leadership and supporter network at a time when the party is surging ahead in the polls.

While Cottrell does not hold an official role, party insiders refer to him as part of Farage's inner circle when it comes to policy developments, party funding and political strategy particularly its growing presence on social media.

Lawyers for the British businessman said he was "not aware" of any "probe or inquiry" by HMRC or other authorities. They declined to answer a range of specific questions about his financial affairs.

Cottrell runs Geostrategy.​com, which states it advises political parties and governments, according to information provided by his lawyers.

Its website says it has four locations: London, Washington, Podgorica in Montenegro and Zurich, Switzerland.

He is also working on a book titled How to Launder Money, alongside an international financial investigator. Publicity materials for this book describe it as a "guide for law enforcement, prosecutors and policymakers" which "provides concrete recommendations on how to reduce the crime associated with money laundering". It also states that Cottrell's proceeds from his book will go to "charitable causes".