𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Reform UK MP James McMurdock has removed himself from the party after allegations emerged about his business dealings during the Covid pandemic. The South Basildon and East Thurrock MP contacted Reform chief whip Lee Anderson on Saturday to confirm he had “removed the party whip from himself” while an investigation takes place.

Mr Anderson released a statement shortly after, saying the allegations are expected to be published by a national newspaper and relate to Mr McMurdock’s business activity before he became an MP.

“I have today received a call from James McMurdock who has advised me, as Chief Whip, that he has removed the party whip from himself pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations that are likely to be published by a national newspaper,” Mr Anderson said in a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter.

“The allegations relate to business propriety during the pandemic and before he became an MP.

“At Reform UK we take these matters very seriously and James has agreed to cooperate in full with any investigation.

“We will not be commenting further at this moment.”

Mr McMurdock became an MP in the 2024 general election, which saw Nigel Farage’s Reform UK secure four seats.

McMurdock, 39, was relatively unknown in politics before narrowly winning South Basildon and East Thurrock for Reform UK in the 2024 general election. He secured the seat by just 98 votes.

After the election, it emerged that he had a previous conviction for assaulting a former girlfriend when he was 18, The Guardian reported.

At the time, Reform described him as someone who had made mistakes in the past but had since changed and moved forward with his life.

His suspension is likely to be seen as a setback for party leader Nigel Farage, who has already seen one of Reform’s original five MPs, Rupert Lowe, step down following an internal dispute.

The party has since regained a fifth MP after winning a by-election in which Sarah Pochin was elected.

Mr McMurdock has not yet commented publicly, and it remains unclear who is carrying out the investigation into the allegations.