Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is facing new allegations of failing to declare funding linked to a convicted criminal, prompting calls for a fresh parliamentary investigation. The claims center on support provided by George Cottrell, who reportedly supplied security personnel and social media staff involved in managing Farage’s online content in the year prior to his election.

Cottrell, 32, is a cryptocurrency entrepreneur who was sentenced in the United States in 2017 after pleading guilty to wire fraud. He admitted to attempting to defraud criminals on the dark web by posing as a money launderer. It has also been alleged that Farage used a property near Buckingham Palace that was rented by Cottrell during this period.

Farage is already under scrutiny in Parliament over another matter involving an unregistered £5 million donation from a billionaire benefactor. In response to the new claims, the Liberal Democrats have urged the parliamentary standards watchdog to initiate a second inquiry into Farage’s conduct.

A spokesman for Reform UK dismissed the latest allegations as “baseless,” emphasizing that the period in question occurred when Farage was not actively involved in politics. The party has maintained that all relevant rules have been followed.

The developments add to growing questions surrounding transparency and compliance with parliamentary regulations by political figures, as the standards committee weighs any formal response.