Senior Reform UK figures attend launch of How to Launder Money book

The Guardian World

by Ben Quinn and Rowena Mason

February 14, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Senior Reform UK figures attended the launch of George Cottrell’s book *How to Launder Money*, a title that immediately grabs attention. Co-authored by Cottrell, who is a close aide to party leader Nigel Farage, the book raises eyebrows given his controversial past. Cottrell served several months in a US prison after being convicted in 2017 for wire fraud, a detail he addressed during the book launch event. The co-author claims to have firsthand knowledge of financial wrongdoing, positioning himself as an authority on the subject. Cottrell’s connection to Nigel Farage adds political intrigue to the story. As a key figure within Reform UK, Cottrell’s presence at the book launch underscored the party’s interest in addressing issues like money laundering and financial crime. His candor about his own criminal history, including serving time in the US for wire fraud, suggests an attempt to leverage his past experiences to add credibility to the book. However, questions remain about whether the work is intended as a serious exposé or a stunt to capitalize on his notoriety. The publication of *How to Launder Money* comes at a time when concerns about financial transparency and political funding are growing in the UK. Cottrell’s involvement raises broader questions about how Reform UK engages with issues of money laundering, both domestically and internationally. His background adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, as

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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/14/2026