The closeness between the two is such that Cottrell has a signed copy of Farage's maiden Commons speech, with a message from the man himself: 'Thank you for everything! Nigel Farage.'

The Reform UK leader accepted funding for staffing, security and accommodation from his close associate George Cottrell - known as Posh George.

Farage is already under investigation by the standards watchdog over whether he should have declared a £5 million ($6.7 million) donation from a cryptocurrency billionaire he…