REFORM UK MP James McMurdock has suspended himself from the party amid questions related to £70,000 worth of Covid loans taken out during the pandemic.

The MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock “removed the party whip from himself” pending the outcome of an investigation relating to allegations around “business propriety during the pandemic."

Two businesses connected to Mr McMurdock are reportedly alleged to have taken out Covid-19 loans totalling £70,000.

In a statement posted on X on Saturday afternoon, Mr McMurdock said that all of his “business dealings” complied with regulations.

He added: “As a precautionary measure and for the protection of Reform UK, I have asked to have the whip suspended temporarily.”

According to Companies House, Mr McMurdock is listed as a director of Gym Live Health and Fitness Limited and a former director of JAM Financial Limited, from which he resigned in 2021.

Both firms are shown to have overdue accounts and confirmation statements and both have an “active proposal to strike off.”

Labour chairwoman Ellie Reeves has said that the party “owe the public an urgent answer about the financial conduct of Mr McMurdock.”

She said: “The public deserve to know about the proper use of public funds by Reform UK MPs given their new councils’ claim to be conducting inquiries into ‘government efficiency.’

“Does Farage think he is fit to be an MP?”

Reform chief whip Lee Anderson said Mr McMurdock has “agreed to co-operate in full with any investigation.”

In a statement published on Reform’s X account on Saturday afternoon, Mr Anderson said: “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.

“The allegations relate to business propriety during the pandemic and before he became an MP.”

The statement said Reform would not be commenting further for the moment.

Of the five MPs elected under the Reform banner in July 2024, two now sit as independents.

Rupert Lowe, who represents Great Yarmouth, was suspended earlier this year following allegations about his conduct, which he has denied.

Sarah Pochin won the Runcorn by-election in May, meaning the party now has four MPs.