REFORM MP James McMurdock has voluntarily removed the party whip from himself.

The MP called the party’s chief whip Lee Anderson to inform him of the decision.

McMurdock decided to withdraw the party whip from himself following news that accusations against him are expected to appear in a national paper.

McMurdock has resigned the whip pending the outcome of an investigation into him over business propriety during Covid.

The Reform UK MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock has been an MP since July 4, 2024.

He accumulated 12,178 votes, narrowly beating out the Labour candidate by just 98 votes.

Chief whip Lee Anderson released a statement but the party has offered no further comment.

The chief whip of Reform UK stated that McMurdock “has withdrawn the party whip from himself while an investigation is conducted into allegations anticipated to be released by a national newspaper.”

His statement went on to read: “The allegations relate to business propriety during the pandemic and before he became an MP.”

Lee Anderson added: “At Reform UK we take these matters very seriously and James has agreed to cooperate fully with any investigation.”