Former Reform MP Quits Party Amid Probe Into His Business Dealings
A Reform UK MP who suspended himself from the party over allegations about his business dealings during the pandemic appears to have quit for good.
James McMurdock removed the whip from himself last weekend after being contacted by The Sunday Times.
The approached him about £70,000 in government Covid “bounce back” loans he allegedly took out in 2020 and 2021 for two firms he owned.
Reform chief whip Lee Anderson MP said the party “take these matters very seriously and James has agreed to cooperate in full with any investigation”.
McMurdock, who was elected the MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock last year, initially said he had “asked to have the whip suspended temporarily”.
But in a fresh statement posted on X this afternoon, he said: “I have now had a chance to take specialist legal advice from an expert in the relevant field.
“In light of that advice, which is privileged and which I choose to keep private at this time, I have decided to continue my parliamentary career as an independent MP where I can focus 100% on the interests of my constituents.”
Further to my statement tweeted on 5th July 2025. I have now had a chance to take specialist legal advice from an expert in the relevant field. In light of that advice, which is privileged and which I choose to keep private at this time, I have decided to continue my…
— James McMurdock MP (@JamesReform) July 8, 2025
Following his election, it emerged that McMurdock was jailed nearly 20 years ago for repeatedly kicking his then girlfriend.
At the time, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was “a fine young man who’s turned out really very, very well”.
McMurdock is the second of the five Reform MPs elected last July to no longer have the party whip.
Rupert Lowe was suspended by the party in March amid allegations of bullying, which he denied, and now also sits as an independent MP in the Commons.