A Reform MP who was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend 18 years ago will not be suspended, and according to the party’s deputy leader, he will pass the new vetting process.
Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, defended James McMurdock, who assaulted his ex-girlfriend, calling it a “mistake.” Tice added that McMurdock had “got things wrong, learned from it, and has grown and succeeded.” McMurdock, who won the Essex seat of South Basildon and East Thurrock by just 98 votes during the last general election, became Reform’s fifth MP.
The comments come shortly after the release of a critical report by Whitehall’s spending watchdog, which warned of an “epidemic of violence against women and girls” in the UK. Despite McMurdock’s conviction, Tice noted that he had served his time and learned from his past mistakes. Tice further stated that McMurdock has shown tremendous growth since the incident and was now a dedicated and effective MP, doing well in his role.
McMurdock had not disclosed his conviction during the election process. Initially, when the details of the conviction were made public, McMurdock had referred to the incident as a “push” during a drunken argument. However, a court document later revealed that he had been sentenced to 21 days in a young offender institution in 2006 for kicking his ex-girlfriend several times. Despite this, Tice emphasized that McMurdock was now focused on his constituents and had a positive family life.
Critics have questioned Reform UK’s stance on the issue, with some calling for McMurdock to resign his seat and allow voters in South Basildon and East Thurrock to decide whether they still want him as their MP. Basildon’s Labour leader, Gavin Callaghan, criticized Tice’s defense, stating that McMurdock should step down for the sake of accountability.
McMurdock’s history has also drawn public criticism from his former girlfriend’s mother, who labeled him a “monster” following the assault. In response, McMurdock expressed deep regret for his actions, describing the event as a “teenage indiscretion” that he regretted profoundly. He acknowledged his wrongdoing and his commitment to moving forward as a better person.
Following this controversy, Tice assured that McMurdock would pass the newly implemented vetting process by Reform UK, an effort the party had recently revamped after candidates were removed in the past for making inappropriate remarks. Tice was confident in McMurdock’s ability to meet the standards set by the party moving forward.
The ongoing situation has raised questions about the vetting practices of political parties in the UK and how they handle candidates with a controversial past. While some advocate for second chances and personal growth, others argue that politicians must be held to higher standards due to their public role and responsibilities.
