The Metropolitan Police are investigating financial donations to the hard-right Reform UK party, particularly focusing on £500,000 from Fiona Cottrell, mother of a convicted fraudster. This scrutiny comes as Reform leader Nigel Farage prepares for a by-election against novelty candidate Count Binface. Farage, who denies any wrongdoing, faces multiple allegations of undeclared donations and has recently resigned as MP for Clacton.