A former Reform UK MP is under investigation by the Parliamentary standards commissioner over allegations he facilitated racial abuse against a Sky News journalist through social media posts that spelled out a racial slur.
James McMurdock, who represents South Basildon and East Thurrock in Essex, is accused of starting a chain of posts on X that spelled out the N-word on 4 August, targeting political correspondent Mhari Aurora in what Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty described as a deliberate attempt to circumvent platform moderation.
The independent MP, who suspended himself from Reform UK earlier this year following separate allegations over pandemic loans, faces potential sanctions if found to have breached House of Commons standards relating to conduct that damages Parliament’s reputation.
‘N-Tower’ Allegations Spark Investigation
The Parliamentary standards commissioner confirmed it will investigate whether McMurdock breached rule 11 of the House of Commons code of conduct, which prohibits MPs from undertaking “any action which would cause significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House of Commons as a whole, or of its Members generally.”
The complaint centres on McMurdock allegedly posting the letter “N” under an X post critical of Sky News political correspondent Mhari Aurora on 4 August. This technique, known as an “N-Tower,” involves multiple users posting single letters vertically to spell out racial slurs whilst evading automated content moderation systems.
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who represents Huntingdon, reported McMurdock to the standards commissioner in August, describing the practice as “a means of using a racial slur against an individual on an online platform whilst circumventing moderation that would remove racially abusive content.
Other users subsequently posted additional letters to complete the racial slur, with the full word appearing vertically in the thread over approximately 30 minutes before McMurdock allegedly deleted his initial post.
MP’s ‘Horrendous’ Actions Condemned
Obese-Jecty, who has experienced similar online racial abuse himself, expressed horror at the allegations against his parliamentary colleague. “Having repeatedly experienced this specific type of online racial abuse myself, I am horrified that a fellow member of Parliament would apparently see this as a legitimate means of challenging a Westminster lobby journalist in a public forum,” he stated.
The Conservative MP accused McMurdock of showing a “failure to challenge poor behaviour” and “absence of moral courage” by deleting his post without condemning the subsequent letters that completed the slur.
“I sincerely hope that there is a coherent and believable explanation for this horrendous action,” Obese-Jecty added in his formal complaint to the standards commissioner.
The Huntingdon MP said McMurdock’s alleged actions reflected “a lack of adherence” to the seven principles of public life, which include integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership, and selflessness.
AI Assistant Defence Raises Questions
McMurdock appeared to deny making the post, sharing a screenshot of Grok, X’s AI assistant, which claimed he never posted the letter “N” based on analysis of the N-Tower screenshot. However, Grok is a large language model known for inaccuracies and has previously generated controversial content, including praise for Adolf Hitler.
The South Basildon and East Thurrock MP dismissed the complaint, stating that Obese-Jecty “had nothing better to do” and that the “complaint regarding the alleged posting of a single letter is beyond ridiculous.”
McMurdock also accused his Conservative colleague of attempting to enhance his own status, claiming: “Ben has tried to use me to enhance his status all year. It is pathetic.”
When approached for comment, McMurdock has not provided further clarification about the incident or offered an alternative explanation for the post’s appearance and subsequent deletion.
Previous Controversies and Reform UK Suspension
McMurdock’s parliamentary career has been marked by controversy since his narrow election victory in July 2024, when he won South Basildon and East Thurrock by just 98 votes in one of the tightest results of the general election.
The former investment banker suspended himself from Reform UK earlier this year after The Times revealed he had claimed £70,000 in Bounce Back business loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The loans were obtained through two companies, including JAM Financial Limited, which reportedly had no employees and negligible assets.
To claim the maximum £50,000 loan, the company would have required an annual turnover of at least £200,000, raising questions about the legitimacy of the applications. McMurdock was later cleared of wrongdoing by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority but chose to remain as an independent MP.
Further controversy emerged when it was revealed McMurdock had a criminal conviction from 2006 for assaulting his then-girlfriend, for which he was jailed. Reform UK confirmed they knew about the spent conviction when selecting him as a candidate.
Standards Commissioner’s Powers and Process
The Parliamentary standards commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, has the authority to investigate potential breaches of the MPs’ code of conduct and can recommend sanctions ranging from apologies to suspension from the House of Commons.
The investigation will examine whether McMurdock’s alleged actions violated the standards expected of parliamentarians, particularly regarding conduct that could bring Parliament into disrepute.
If the commissioner finds McMurdock breached the code, the case would be referred to the Standards Committee, which can impose various sanctions including requiring a written apology, suspension from Parliament, or withholding salary.
The investigation process typically involves gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and allowing the MP under investigation to present their defence before reaching a conclusion.
Impact on Parliamentary Standards Debate
The case has reignited debates about parliamentary standards and MPs’ conduct on social media platforms. The alleged use of coded racial abuse techniques to evade moderation highlights the evolving nature of online harassment and the challenges facing regulators.
Obese-Jecty’s complaint emphasised the particular responsibility of MPs to maintain high standards of conduct, stating there should be “no place in Parliament for those who use their position to target, and attempt to intimidate, a free press.”
The investigation comes amid broader concerns about the behaviour of some parliamentarians on social media and the impact on public trust in democratic institutions.
The case also raises questions about the adequacy of current parliamentary codes of conduct in addressing sophisticated forms of online abuse that exploit platform vulnerabilities.
Reform UK’s Continuing Challenges
Although McMurdock is no longer affiliated with Reform UK, the controversy adds to the party’s difficulties in establishing itself as a credible political force following its breakthrough in the 2024 general election.
The party, led by Nigel Farage, secured five MPs in the election but has faced ongoing scrutiny over candidate selection and vetting procedures. McMurdock’s case exemplifies these challenges, having been selected as a paper candidate with minimal vetting.
Reform UK has not commented on the latest allegations against their former MP, though the party had previously stood by him when his criminal conviction came to light, stating it was a spent conviction they were aware of during selection.
The controversy may complicate Reform UK’s efforts to professionalise its operations and attract more mainstream support ahead of future electoral contests.
Media Freedom and Press Relations
The targeting of a journalist adds another dimension to the controversy, raising concerns about press freedom and the relationship between politicians and media professionals.
Sky News has not officially commented on the investigation, though the incident highlights the abuse faced by political journalists, particularly women and those from minority backgrounds, in their professional capacity.
The case underscores the importance of maintaining professional boundaries between politicians and journalists, even when political figures disagree with media coverage.
Press freedom organisations have consistently warned about the chilling effect of online abuse directed at journalists, which can deter robust political reporting and accountability journalism.
What Happens Next
The Parliamentary standards commissioner’s investigation is expected to take several weeks or months to complete, depending on the complexity of evidence gathering and witness availability.
McMurdock will have the opportunity to present his defence and provide evidence supporting his claim that he did not make the post or that it has been misinterpreted.
If found in breach of parliamentary standards, McMurdock could face sanctions that might affect his ability to effectively represent his constituents in South Basildon and East Thurrock.
The case may also prompt renewed discussions about social media conduct guidelines for MPs and whether current rules adequately address modern forms of online harassment and abuse.
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Image Credit:
Official portrait of James McMurdock MP (crop 2) — photo by Roger Harris / UK Parliament, CC BY 3.0
