Reform UK co-leader Richard Tice says reports concerning payments involving Fiona Cottrell, the mother of George Cottrell, amount to a “politically motivated smear.” The comments come as scrutiny continues around Reform UK’s finances and related allegations about the sources and handling of money linked to individuals connected to the party. Tice disputes the reports and characterises them as politically driven rather than grounded in evidence. The coverage reflects a broader focus on how parties account for funding and the circumstances in which money is provided or associated with political activity. While the outlets describe Tice’s position that the claims are intended to undermine Reform UK, they do not present additional new verified detail in the provided excerpts beyond his response. Overall, both outlets align on the central point: Tice rejects the reporting and attributes it to political motives, amid ongoing attention to financial matters involving Reform UK.