Essex MP James McMurdock investigated by requirements commissioner
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Requirements is investigating South Basildon and East Thurrock MP James McMurdock over allegations he did not register his enterprise pursuits.
He was considered one of 5 Reform UK MPs earlier than he stop the celebration this week amid allegations over his eligibility to have claimed £70,000 in bounceback loans through the pandemic.
McMurdock, who’s listed by Corporations Home as a director of Health club Stay Well being and Health Ltd, now sits as an Unbiased MP for the Essex constituency.
He has been approached for remark.
On Wednesday, Labour MP Jon Pearce requested the commissioner to “examine whether or not James McMurdock MP is in breach of the foundations of conduct for MPs”.
Pearce wrote to the commissioner, saying “parliamentary guidelines state this directorship must be listed”.
The corporate, together with JAM Monetary Ltd, the place McMurdock was beforehand a director, has overdue accounts.
McMurdock mentioned through social media that “all my enterprise dealings had at all times been carried out totally inside the legislation and in compliance with all rules”.
Final weekend, he requested Reform to briefly droop the whip as a “precautionary measure”, and the celebration mentioned it was finishing up an inner investigation.
On Tuesday, he resigned from the celebration, saying that after he “had an opportunity to take specialist authorized recommendation” he had “determined to proceed my parliamentary profession as an impartial MP”.
South Basildon and East Thurrock was the final seat to declare within the 2024 normal election following a full recount. McMurdock beat the Labour candidate by 98 votes in a seat that was beforehand held by the Conservatives.
Beneath parliamentary guidelines, MPs ought to declare any earnings over £100 and any pursuits that “would possibly fairly think about the curiosity to affect their actions or phrases as an MP”. McMurdock has not declared any directorships.
Errors on the register could be corrected by MPs, however critical breaches can result in formal sanctions, together with suspension from Parliament.
