Reform UK has instructed its councillors to describe a police investigation into donations from the mother of George Cottrell as an establishment stitch-up, as polling showed the party's popularity plummeting. Local government representatives were also instructed to respond to questions with: "The British people are tired of the establishment media doing anything they can to stop Reform. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementPolice are investigating donations worth £500,000 made to Reform UK by Fiona Cottrell, the mother of the crypto-gambler and convicted fraudster "Posh George", who is a close friend of Farage. The Guardian revealed in April that the Reform UK leader had received a £5m gift from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne before the last election, which is currently subject to standards inquiry. In the aftermath of May's local elections, Reform UK polled a 28% vote share, giving them an 11-point lead over any other party.