Reform MP loses whip over business allegations, party says

Reform MP James McMurdock has lost the whip over allegations against him related to business propriety, the party says.

Chief whip Lee Anderson said McMurdock, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, "removed the party whip from himself" pending an investigation into allegations since published by the Sunday Times.

"At Reform UK we take these matters very seriously and James has agreed to cooperate in full with any investigation," Anderson said.

The party will not be commenting further, he added.

The BBC has approached McMurdock for comment.

Anderson said the allegations relate to business propriety during the pandemic, before McMurdock became an MP last year.

He won the seat by 98 votes, beating Labour into second place, and taking the seat from the Conservatives.