According to the Times investigation, the Reform MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock took out Covid Bounce Back loans for two businesses in 2020. McMurdock allegedly borrowed £50,000 for one business, JAM Financial Limited, which had no employees and under £5,000 in assets until the pandemic.

Reform UK MP James McMurdock has given up the party whip after a newspaper raised questions over tens of thousands of pounds worth of loans he took out under a Covid-19 support scheme.

Reform MP James McMurdock has suspended himself as chief whip following a Sunday Times investigation into his misuse of Covid-19 government loans. McMurdock, who has represented South Basildon and East Thurrock since last July’s general election,