Close associate of Nigel Farage and a key figure in Reform UK, George Cottrell acted as a front for a major gambling syndicate that included Brighton owner Tony Bloom, a high court document alleges. Public documents filed in the high court claim a syndicate was 'given control' of Cottrell's betting accounts, as per the Guardian . Billionaire Bloom made his fortune from gambling and has special permission from the Football Association to bet on football, outside of Premier League and Brighton