By Caitlin Doherty
Reform UK MP James McMurdock has withdrawn the party whip from himself amid 鈥渁llegations that are likely to be published by a national newspaper鈥, the party鈥檚 chief whip has said. Lee Anderson said in a statement on Saturday that the allegations against Mr McMurdock 鈥渞elate to business propriety during the pandemic and before he became an MP鈥. Mr Anderson said that Mr McMurdock has 鈥渁greed to co-operate in full with any investigation鈥. In a statement published on Reform鈥檚 X account on Saturday afternoon, Mr Anderson said: 鈥淚 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. 鈥淭he allegations relate to business proprietary during the pandemic and before he became an MP,鈥 Mr Anderson said. Mr McMurdock has represented South Basildon and East Thurrock since last July鈥檚 general election. He won the seat by 98 votes, beating Labour into second place, and taking the seat from the Conservatives.