Reform UK wants the police to re-investigate an attempted robbery against an aide of Nigel Farage following Ann Widdecombe’s murder.
Adviser George Cottrell was attacked outside his London home in April, days after Mr Farage revealed his house had been firebombed.
The timing of the incident, previously reported without naming Mr Cottrell, has raised suspicions in the party that it may be linked to the hate-fuelled attacks that culminated in Ms Widdecombe’s murder in July.
Mr Cottrell – ‘Posh’ George, as he is known – was ‘jumped’ outside his Chelsea property in the early hours and recalled being grabbed at by blue latex gloves as he fled on foot.
While the incident was reported as a stand-alone crime, the heightened fears about security have led to calls for the case to be reopened.
Reform aides also pointed to a profile about Mr Cottrell in Tatler the previous August which revealed Mr Farage was ‘often’ at his west London house, which could have made it an easy target for those hoping to do harm to the party leader.
The Metropolitan Police said the case remains closed, and that it had ‘carried out extensive enquiries’ but could not identify the suspects.
The statement suggested the case could be reopened ‘subject to further information coming to light’.
Mr Cottrell was ‘jumped’ outside his Chelsea property in the early hours and recalled being grabbed at by blue latex gloves as he fled on foot (Pictured: Mr Cottrell and Nigel Farage)
Miss Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on July 9
But last night a Reform source said the police may want to reconsider after announcing they are re-investigating Mr Farage’s firebombing.
They said: ‘In the current climate, it would seem strange to dismiss the possibility of a link between the incident involving George, the firebombing of Nigel’s house and murder of Ann Widdecombe. The police must keep an open mind, even if means re-opening George’s case.’
Counter-terror police confirmed they are reopening their probe into Mr Farage’s firebombing last year.
Mr Farage said: ‘It was an outright arson attempt. I wasn’t home at the time, but when I came back I found the damage.’ A spokesman for Counter-Terrorism Police yesterday said the investigation into Ms Widdecombe’s murder ‘remains ongoing’.
