Nigel Farage's party in chaos as Reform UK MP 'suspends himself' over probe

Nigel Farage's Reform UK party has been plunged into chaos again, after one of its MPs 'suspended himself' over a probe into his business.

James McMurdock has removed himself from the party whip, according to Chief Whip Lee Anderson.

It leaves the party with just four sitting MPs, following the departure of Rupert Lowe earlier this year in a furious dispute with Mr Farage and the party's chairman Zia Yusuf.

In his statement, Mr Anderson wrote: "I have today received a call from James McMurdock who has advised me, as Chief Whip, that he has removed the party whip from himself pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations that are likely to be published by a national newspaper."

He added: "The allegations relate to business propriety during the pandemic and before he became an MP. At Reform UK we take these matters very seriously and James has agreed to cooperate in full with any investigation.

"We will not be commenting further at this moment."

Mr McMurdock has not publicly commented on the suspension or allegations.

He was elected MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock after getting 98 more votes than Tory Stephen Metcalfe in July's election.

It later emerged he had been jailed for repeatedly kicking his former girlfriend in 2006.

James McMurdock had previously claimed he was sent to a young offenders' institution for "pushing" the victim on a drunken night out. But court documents obtained by The Times reveal the reason given for his sentence was “kicking to victim on around four times”.

A sentencing report said the crime "requires immediate punishment", while a pre-sentence report suggested there was a "lack of willingness to comply". The victim's mum claimed the attack "left marks on her body" and said it took two security guards to pull Mr McMurdock off her.

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When his conviction came to light shortly after the general election Mr McMurdock disputed the details and said some might see it as a "teenage indiscretion".

The assault happened at the end of a night out in 2006. Mr McMurdock was sentenced to 21 days after admitting the attack.

His conviction came to light when the victims' mother contacted the Daily Mail voicing her anger that he had been allowed to stand.**