Image copyright Reuters Image caption Nigel Farage said he had never had any suspicions about Cottrell"s behaviour An aide to former UKIP leader Nigel Farage is facing up to 20 years in jail in the US after admitting to fraud.
George Cottrell struck a plea bargain with prosecutors, who said he had agreed to launder money for undercover agents posing as drug traffickers.
He was arrested in July as he and Mr Farage were preparing to return to the UK after the Republican convention.
Mr Farage told ITV he was surprised by what had happened and had “never had any suspicions” about the volunteer.
The MEP, who stood down as leader in November, told Good Morning Britain he could not be held responsible for “what everyone around me does”.
UKIP says Cottrell was an unpaid volunteer during the EU referendum campaign and the offence dates from before he was directly involved in the party.
After being caught in an FBI sting operation earlier this year, Cottrell – who is in his 20s – faced 21..
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