Reform UK MP James McMurdock has surrendered the party whip pending an investigation into allegations related to business propriety during the pandemic. The party confirmed the suspension in a brief statement released today.
The South Basildon and East Thurrock MP will sit as an independent while the investigation takes place. Reform UK stated the allegations relate to business activities that occurred before McMurdock became an MP in July 2024.
The party’s statement confirmed: “The allegations are related to business propriety during the pandemic before he became an MP.” No further details were provided about the specific nature of the allegations.
National Newspaper Investigation
Reform UK indicated that allegations are expected to be published by a national newspaper. The party has not released any additional comment beyond the initial statement announcing the whip suspension.
The timing and nature of the newspaper investigation remain unclear. Standard parliamentary procedure allows MPs to voluntarily surrender the whip while investigations take place.
McMurdock has not yet issued a personal statement regarding the suspension or the allegations. His office has been contacted for comment.
Parliamentary Background
McMurdock was elected as Reform UK MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock in July 2024 with one of the smallest majorities in the general election. He won by just 98 votes, representing a 0.25% majority.
The former banker joined Reform UK only two months before the election, paying £25 to join the party in May 2024. He acted as his own election agent and spent just £400 on campaign materials.
His victory was unexpected, with party insiders reportedly unaware of his candidacy until election night. McMurdock became one of five Reform UK MPs elected in the 2024 general election.
Previous Controversies
This is not McMurdock’s first controversy since entering Parliament. Shortly after his election, it emerged he had not disclosed a 2006 conviction for assaulting a former girlfriend.
McMurdock was detained for 21 days in a young offender institution when he was 19 years old. Court records showed he kicked the victim “around four times” during the assault.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice defended McMurdock in February 2025, saying he would not be suspended over the historic conviction. Tice described him as someone who had “got things wrong, learnt from it and has grown and succeeded.”
Business Background Questions
Questions have also been raised about McMurdock’s business background and career claims. Former colleagues disputed his descriptions of senior banking roles at prestigious institutions.
A former Standard Chartered colleague told Byline Times that McMurdock held a junior administrative role rather than the portfolio management position he claimed. The colleague described his actual job title as “deal administrator.”
McMurdock’s claimed experience at Lehman Brothers has also been questioned, as the bank collapsed in 2008 while he was still at university. Similar questions arose about his stated roles at Goldman Sachs and Barclays Capital.
Failed Business Ventures
Investigation revealed several failed companies associated with McMurdock before his political career. One firm, Nang Ltd, was dissolved by compulsory strike-off after failing to meet legal obligations.
Another company, JAM Ltd, was found to be technically insolvent with negative capital of £14,000 in its 2021 accounts. The firm showed £50,000 of creditors on its books.
Bulk Buy Divided Ltd was dissolved via voluntary strike-off in 2017 with McMurdock as sole director. These business failures occurred years before the pandemic period now under investigation.
Reform UK’s Position
The party has maintained a policy of not commenting beyond official statements during ongoing investigations. This approach follows standard political party protocols for handling allegations against sitting MPs.
Reform UK currently has five MPs in the House of Commons following their breakthrough in the 2024 general election. The party won 14.3% of the popular vote nationally.
McMurdock’s suspension reduces Reform UK’s parliamentary representation temporarily. He will continue to represent his constituents as an independent MP during the investigation.
Parliamentary Implications
As an independent MP, McMurdock will lose access to party resources and support. He will no longer participate in Reform UK parliamentary activities or represent the party in debates.
The whip system allows parties to maintain discipline among their MPs. Surrendering the whip voluntarily often occurs when serious allegations arise requiring investigation.
If cleared, McMurdock could potentially have the whip restored. If the investigation upholds allegations, he may face permanent expulsion from the parliamentary party.
Next Steps
The investigation timeline remains unclear, as does the identity of the national newspaper preparing to publish allegations. Parliamentary investigations can take several weeks or months to complete.
McMurdock will continue serving his constituents while sitting as an independent. His constituency office remains operational during the investigation period.
Reform UK faces questions about its vetting procedures following various controversies involving candidates. Party leader Nigel Farage previously acknowledged vetting had been “probably quite near a catastrophe” in past elections.
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Image credit:
Official portrait of James McMurdock MP (cropped). Photo by UK Parliament, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 3.0.
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