James McMurdock will not return to Reform UK after resigning the party whip over questions related to Covid loans, the MP has announced. The South Basildon and East Thurrock representative said he will continue his parliamentary career as an independent MP.
McMurdock "removed the party whip from himself" last week pending an investigation into allegations around "business propriety during the pandemic". The Sunday Times reported on Saturday that two businesses connected to the MP took out Covid-19 loans totalling £70,000 during the pandemic.
Legal advice prompts decision
The MP said on Tuesday he had received "specialist legal advice from an expert in the relevant field" since the loans came to light. Writing on social media site X, he added the advice was "privileged" and he chose to keep it private.
"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," McMurdock stated. The Sunday Times alleged that one of the businesses that received loans had no employees at the time.
Companies House records revealed
According to Companies House, McMurdock is listed as the current director of Gym Live Health and Fitness Limited. He is also a former director of J A M Financial Limited, a position he resigned in 2021.
Both firms are shown to have overdue accounts and confirmation statements, with both having an "active proposal to strike off". The revelations have prompted questions about the appropriateness of the loan applications during the pandemic.
MP maintains legal compliance
When the Sunday Times story broke, McMurdock insisted "all my business dealings had always been conducted fully within the law and in compliance with all regulations and that appropriately qualified professionals had reviewed all activity confirming the same". He said he had asked for the Reform whip to be suspended temporarily as a "precautionary measure".
The MP's decision to become an independent means he will not return to Reform UK regardless of the investigation's outcome.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
