Reform UK s Richard Tice Faces Parliamentary Investigation
Ninoda.com – Reform UK s Richard Tice is currently under investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog following allegations that he failed to properly declare a relevant interest. The inquiry was formally opened on Tuesday 28 July and subsequently published on the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner website on Monday. Tice, who serves as the deputy leader of Reform UK and represents Boston and Skegness as an MP, stated that the complaint concerns a Commons debate about Israeli influence and whether he should have referenced his register of interests at that time.
Details of the Allegation
According to Reform UK, Tice did not mention during his 22 June speech that he had undertaken a trip to Israel the previous September. This journey was funded by a pro-Israel lobbying group and has since been listed in Tice’s Declaration of Members’ Interests. The investigation centres on Rule 6 in the parliamentary code of conduct, which mandates that members must always be open and frank when declaring any relevant interest in proceedings of the House, its committees, or in communications with ministers, members, public officials, and public office holders.
The Parliament’s guidance to the code of conduct states that MPs can refer to their entry in the register of interests but adds: “Such a reference will not suffice on its own, as the declaration must provide sufficient information to convey the nature of the interest without the listener or the reader having to have recourse to the Register or other publication.”
Notably, a few days before the parliamentary standards commissioner opened this inquiry, the BBC learned that a separate police investigation had been launched into payments made to Reform UK by a company controlled by Tice in the run-up to the general election. Tice, who served as party chairman during this period, was the sole owner and controller of Britain Means Business, which made two donations of £250,000 each to Reform UK.
At the time, Tice responded to the BBC with questions about the timing of the police briefing: “This is the first I have heard of it – if true why are the Met Police briefing the BBC before contacting interested parties? Is the Met leadership now engaged in the widespread politically motivated smear campaign against Reform and its leaders?” Tice has clarified that the money was given to his firm by Fiona Cottrell, a significant donor to Reform UK and mother of a convicted fraudster with close links to party leader Nigel Farage.
Related Investigations and Developments
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage has also had an investigation launched into a potential failure to declare an interest, which relates to a £5m gift from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne before Farage became an MP. That investigation was opened on 13 May but suspended on 8 July when Farage quit to stand in the Clacton by-election. [The full list of 34 candidates can be seen here](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqe24qjgzdo). If Farage is re-elected, that investigation will restart.
Separately, an investigation has also been opened into DUP MP Sammy Wilson for an allegation of failure to declare an interest. The DUP has been contacted for comment. [Police investigate donations by Tice company to Reform UK](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqe24qjgzdo). [Farage says £5m gift spending details ‘not public’s business’](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqe24qjgzdo). [Farage resigns as MP and vows to fight by-election amid finances row](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ceqe24qjgzdo).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the investigation into Reform UK s Richard Tice about?
Reform UK s Richard Tice is being investigated for allegedly failing to declare an interest during a Commons debate on Israeli influence. Specifically, he did not mention a trip to Israel funded by a pro-Israel lobbying group during his 22 June speech, despite this being listed in his Declaration of Members’ Interests.
What does Rule 6 of the parliamentary code of conduct state?
Rule 6 requires that members must always be open and frank in declaring any relevant interest in any proceeding of the House or its committees, and in any communications with ministers, members, public officials or public office holders. A simple reference to the register of interests is not sufficient on its own.
Are there other related investigations?
Yes. In addition to Tice’s investigation, there is a police investigation into donations by his company Britain Means Business to Reform UK. Nigel Farage has a separate investigation into a £5m gift from Christopher Harborne, and DUP MP Sammy Wilson is also under investigation for failure to declare an interest.
What happens if Farage is re-elected in the Clacton by-election?
If Farage is re-elected as an MP in the Clacton by-election, the investigation into his potential failure to declare the £5m gift from Christopher Harborne will restart.
