Reform MP James McMurdock kicked his former girlfriend four times in an attack in 2006, court documents have revealed – despite him previously claiming to have ‘pushed’ her
A Reform UK MP was jailed for repeatedly kicking his former girlfriend, it has emerged.
James McMurdock had previously claimed he was sent to a young offenders’ institution for “pushing” the victim on a drunken night out. But court documents obtained by The Times reveal the reason given for his sentence was “kicking to victim on around four times”.
A sentencing report said the report “requires immediate punishment”, while a pre-sentence report suggested there was a “lack of willingness to comply”. The victim’s mum claimed the attack “left marks on her body” and said it took two security guards to pull Mr McMurdock off her.
When his conviction came to light shortly after the general election Mr McMordock disputed the details and said some might see it as a “teenage indiscretion”. The assault happened at the end of a night out in 2006. Mr McMurdock was sentenced to 21 days after admitting the attack.
He was elected to represent South Basildon & East Thurrock after getting 98 more votes than Tory Stephen Metcalfe. His conviction came to light when the victims’ mother contacted the Daily Mail voicing her anger that he had been allowed to stand.
In a statement at the time he said: “A generous person might call it a teenage indiscretion, but I do not expect everyone to be so kind. Nearly 20 years ago, at 19 years of age, at the end of a night out together, we argued, and I pushed her. She fell over and she was hurt.”
He said he was sorry for what had happened, and added: “Despite being 38 now and having lived a whole life again I still feel deeply ashamed of that moment and apologetic. Despite us both being very drunk, I handed myself into the police immediately and admitted my fault.”
Labour MP Nadia Whittome wrote: “This man belongs nowhere near law-making and power.” The Mirror has contacted Mr McMurdock and Reform UK.
Nigel Farage’s party said it was aware of the conviction before he stood. In July it said it “believes strongly that people can change their lives”.
There are no rules preventing MPs who have served time in prison from standing. There is also no legal requirement for them to reveal they have been jailed.