EAST Thurrock and South Basildon MP James McMurdock has ruled out a return to the Reform Party, even if he is cleared of impropriety following a number of allegations including possible criminality related to applications he made for covid grants.

Last week Mr McMurdock announced he was quitting the Reform whip exactly a year after being elected, a first year in parliament which had already seen him court controversy when it was revealed by the media he had not disclosed a previous criminal conviction for assaulting his girlfriend.

The Sunday Times published a story on Saturday which alleged two businesses connected to Mr McMurdock took out covid loans totalling £70,000 during the pandemic, one of which had no employees.

In the wake of the story, the MP said he had "had a chance to take specialist legal advice from an expert in the relevant field" since the loans came to light.

In his latest comments on social media site X, he now says: "In light of that advice, which is privileged and which I choose to keep private at this time, I have decided to continue my parliamentary career as an independent MP where I can focus 100 per cent on the interests of my constituents."

Mr McMurdock insisted when the Sunday Times news story broke that "all my business dealings had always been conducted fully within the law and in compliance with all regulations and that appropriately qualified professionals had reviewed all activity confirming the same".

At the time he said he had asked for the Reform whip to be suspended temporarily as a "precautionary measure".

Mr McMurdock's decision to stand as an independent in Parliament contrasts with his election campaign, when he and supporters questioned the validity and capability of independents to make an impact at Westminster.

The point was made by supporters of Mr McMurdock at hustings during the 2024 election campaign when two independents stood in the constituency.

Mr McMurdock polled 12,178 votes, beating Labour's Jack Ferguson by 98, and Tory incumbent MP Stephen Metcalfe by 2,109. Two independent candidates stood in the election. Neil Speight came fourth with 1,928 votes (4.9 per cent of the vote) and Steven Burnett who polled 275 (0.7%).