Parliament watchdog rejects McMurdock complaint

James McMurdock quit Reform UK last month, and now stands as an independent MP in Essex

A former Reform UK MP has been cleared by the parliamentary standards commissioner over an allegation he did not declare a financial interest.

James McMurdock, who now sits as the independent MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock in Essex, is director of a health and fitness firm.

The parliamentary standards commissioner did not uphold the complaint but said his unpaid directorship should now be registered in his parliamentary interests.

McMurdock said the "malicious attack" had "failed".

Labour MP Jon Pearce had questioned whether McMurdock had breached the rules.

He is listed on Companies House as an active director at Gym Live Health and Fitness Ltd, which is registered in Hockley, Essex.

The investigation report, by standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg, noted that McMurdock had said he was advised during an induction into Parliament "that this specific interest did not need to be registered".

"Although this advice did not qualify as formal safe harbour advice, I decided it was reasonable for Mr McMurdock to have relied on the advice he had been given and therefore did not uphold the allegation," explained Mr Greenberg.

However, Mr Greenberg said that this advice given at the induction session was "wrong".

McMurdock took up his seat following last July's general election by beating the second-placed Labour candidate by just 98 votes.

He quit Reform UK last month amid allegations over his eligibility to have claimed £70,000 in bounce-back loans during the Covid-19 pandemic.

McMurdock denied any wrongdoing and said on social media "all my business dealings had always been conducted fully within the law and in compliance with all regulations".

Reform UK said it would launch an investigation.

In his latest statement, McMurdock said: "I will continue, undeterred, as I have since the day of my election, to dedicate my energies to being the best parliamentary representative I can be for my constituents."

He also said the complaint to the standards commissioner had been made "without substance, designed to damage my reputation".