NCA Accused of Illegally Leaking Farage and Tice Bank Details

Reform UK has accused the National Crime Agency (NCA) of illegally leaking confidential banking information related to senior party figures. Deputy leader Richard Tice demands an urgent investigation into what he claims are criminal disclosures, raising serious questions about the integrity of state institutions.

The explosive row erupted after Mr Tice alleged that private financial details concerning himself and Reform leader Nigel Farage were passed to newspapers directly from within the NCA. This comes as Mr Farage triggered a by-election in Clacton, where he plans to stand, adding another layer of political intensity to the allegations.

Confidential Banking Information Exposed

Reports, initially in The Telegraph, indicate Mr Tice has formally written to NCA director general Graeme Biggar, demanding an internal inquiry. The core of the complaint revolves around information about bank transactions involving both Reform politicians appearing in the media.

These allegations focus on suspicious activity reports (SARs), which are confidential reports submitted by banks under anti-money laundering regulations. While the NCA routinely assesses these, the vast majority require no further action, making any leak of such reports highly irregular and potentially criminal.

Reform UK Demands Answers

We’ve been subject in the last few months to the use of illegally obtained information, firm evidence of computer hacking and now leaks from government agencies.

— Nigel Farage, Reform UK Leader

Mr Farage, speaking at a Westminster press conference, explicitly stated that Reform has been targeted through unlawfully obtained information. This suggests a pattern of behaviour, escalating from hacking to alleged leaks from within government agencies, directly impacting the party’s operations and public image.

• Mr Tice claims he was unaware of any flagged transactions until contacted by The Guardian, which reportedly had access to details spanning multiple accounts and transactions over months.
• The Reform deputy leader believes the NCA is the only organisation possessing all the published information, accusing individuals within the agency of leaking confidential material.
• Among the leaked transactions was an £80,000 bridging loan to Mr Tice’s property company, Tisun Investments, from businessman George Cottrell, repaid in February 2025.
• Mr Cottrell, previously convicted of wire fraud in the US, has also been linked to financial support for Mr Farage; his mother, Fiona Cottrell, donated £1 million to Mr Tice’s think tank, Britain Means Business, with £500,000 later going to Reform UK.
• Mr Farage is currently under investigation by Parliament’s standards commissioner over a £5 million donation from investor Christopher Harborne, which he maintained covered personal security and did not require registration as he was not in frontline politics.

What This Means for Britain

This scandal strikes at the heart of trust in our institutions. When confidential financial data of political figures can be weaponised and leaked by state agencies, it erodes the very foundations of privacy and fair play. This isn’t just about politicians; it’s about the integrity of the system meant to protect us all.

Such actions undermine confidence in the rule of law and could deter legitimate political activity and donations. If the NCA, an agency designed to fight serious crime, is implicated in political targeting, it sets a dangerous precedent for business, investment, and the democratic process itself.

This pattern of alleged targeting and weaponisation of state power against opposition figures speaks to a deeper malaise within the establishment. It suggests a willingness to use any means necessary to silence dissenting voices and maintain control, regardless of the ethical or legal implications.

The implications are stark: if those in power can manipulate state apparatus for political ends, then our democracy is truly at risk. Every citizen should be deeply concerned about the erosion of privacy and the potential for politically motivated investigations and leaks.

This cannot stand. Share this story and demand accountability from your MP. Britain deserves better than a state apparatus weaponised against political opponents.

Source: Daily Express | Breaking Brexit News