Reform MP James McMurdock has been stripped of the party whip due to allegations concerning business propriety, according to the party. Chief Whip Lee Anderson stated that McMurdock, who represents South Basildon and East Thurrock, "removed the party whip from himself" while an investigation is underway into allegations reported by the Sunday Times.
"At Reform UK, we take these matters very seriously, and James has agreed to fully cooperate with any investigation," Anderson remarked. He added that the party would not provide further comments on the situation. The BBC has reached out to McMurdock for his response.
Anderson indicated that the allegations pertain to business conduct during the pandemic, prior to McMurdock's election as an MP last year. He secured his seat by a narrow margin of 98 votes, defeating Labour and taking the position from the Conservatives.
McMurdock is the second of the five Reform MPs elected in 2024 to lose the party whip, following Rupert Lowe's suspension in March. This suspension occurred after the party accused the Great Yarmouth MP of making "threats of physical violence" against then-chairman Zia Yusuf. The Crown Prosecution Service later determined that Lowe would not face criminal charges, which he described as "false" and part of a "brutal smear campaign." He now serves in the Commons as an independent.
In May, Reform's Sarah Ponchin won the Runcorn by-election, bringing the party's representation in the Commons back to five. However, with McMurdock's departure from the party whip, Reform now has four sitting MPs.
