A Reform UK politician has stepped away from his party after serious questions emerged about pandemic loans worth thousands of pounds. James McMurdock represents South Basildon and East Thurrock and decided to remove himself from the party ranks as newspapers dug into his business dealings. The Sunday Times published claims about McMurdock taking out £70,000 through government support schemes during the coronavirus crisis. He strongly denies doing anything wrong and says qualified experts checked all his business activities before he entered Parliament. Reform UK leaders promised to launch their investigation into the matter.
The controversial loans came through two separate companies that McMurdock controlled during the pandemic period. JAM Financial Limited received the maximum amount of £50,000 under the Bounce Back scheme designed to help struggling businesses. Gym Live Health and Fitness Limited took another £20,000 from the same government program. Newspaper investigators found problems with both companies and questioned whether they qualified for such large amounts of taxpayer money. Records show one company had just one worker and less than £5,000 in assets before the pandemic hit.
McMurdock barely won his parliamentary seat last July with just 98 votes separating him from defeat. He becomes the second Reform MP to lose party support after Rupert Lowe faced suspension earlier this year. The party started with five members of Parliament but McMurdock's departure leaves them with four sitting representatives. An independent investigator will examine the loan allegations over the coming weeks. McMurdock continues serving his constituents as an independent member of Parliament.
The controversial loans came through two separate companies that McMurdock controlled during the pandemic period. JAM Financial Limited received the maximum amount of £50,000 under the Bounce Back scheme designed to help struggling businesses. Gym Live Health and Fitness Limited took another £20,000 from the same government program. Newspaper investigators found problems with both companies and questioned whether they qualified for such large amounts of taxpayer money. Records show one company had just one worker and less than £5,000 in assets before the pandemic hit.
McMurdock barely won his parliamentary seat last July with just 98 votes separating him from defeat. He becomes the second Reform MP to lose party support after Rupert Lowe faced suspension earlier this year. The party started with five members of Parliament but McMurdock's departure leaves them with four sitting representatives. An independent investigator will examine the loan allegations over the coming weeks. McMurdock continues serving his constituents as an independent member of Parliament.
