Ex-Reform UK MP’s business affairs referred to fraud body
The former Reform UK MP James McMurdock’s business affairs during the Covid pandemic have been referred to the Public Sector Fraud Authority, the Guardian understands,It follows a referral by the Covid corruption commissioner on Wednesday,The authority will investigate the evidence and work with relevant agencies if required,McMurdock, the MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock in Essex, surrendered the party whip last weekend in anticipation of revelations in the Sunday Times, which claimed there were questions over loans totalling tens of thousands of pounds,It was reported that he took out £70,000 in loans in 2020 from the government’s bounce back scheme.
He allegedly borrowed £50,000 for one business, JAM Financial Ltd, which had no employees and negligible assets until the Covid pandemic.For a firm to have been eligible for the loan, it would have needed to report a turnover of at least £200,000.McMurdock is said to have resigned as a director of the company in 2021 and transferred his shares.The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know.If you have something to share on this subject you can contact us confidentially using the following methods.
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SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and postSee our guide at theguardian.com/tips for alternative methods and the pros and cons of each.Another company McMurdock owned, Gym Live Health and Fitness Limited, was said to have borrowed £20,000.It would have required a turnover of £100,000 under the bounce back scheme.It, too, had no employees, according to the latest registered accounts available on Companies House, and had nominal assets until the Covid pandemic.
The companies were due to be struck off the register at Companies House, but on the same day in February 2023 the process of suspending them was halted after the regulator had an objection from a third party,The MP said he had told the Sunday Times 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”,He said on Tuesday he had decided to remain as an independent MP rather than seek to return to Reform UK after receiving legal advice,McMurdock, one of the five Reform UK MPs elected last July after winning the Essex constituency by 98 votes, posted on X: “Further to my statement tweeted on 5 July 2025,I have now had a chance to take specialist legal advice from an expert in the relevant field.
“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% on the interests of my constituents.”
My age makes it very difficult to win grand slams, admits beaten Djokovic
Novak Djokovic said he must accept the reality that his ageing body continues to make it extremely difficult for him to win another grand slam title after struggling physically in his emphatic defeat by the world No 1, Jannik Sinner, in the semi-finals of Wimbledon on Friday.A month after suffering a straight sets defeat by Sinner in the semi-finals of the French Open, Djokovic was subjected to an even more one-sided 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 defeat by an imperious Sinner. The 38-year-old moved sluggishly throughout and he took a medical timeout after losing the second set.“I don’t think it’s bad fortune,” said Djokovic. “It’s just age, the wear and tear of the body
Wimbledon 2025 semi-finals: Sinner destroys Djokovic, Alcaraz beats Fritz – as it happened
Right, that’s it from us for today. Many thanks for your company. I’ll be back tomorrow for the women’s final between Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova, while Daniel will return on Sunday for Jannik Sinner v Carlos Alcaraz part XIII. Make sure you join us then. Bye!Here’s Tumaini’s match report:When Novak Djokovic strode on to Centre Court for a second contest with Jannik Sinner in barely over a month, the narrative had long been set
Second act of English cricket’s great hope Jofra Archer starts with a bang | Andy Bull
Fast bower must have wondered if this moment would ever come but he is back and taking Test wickets againHalf-two in the afternoon and it’s slow going at the bars, stalls and stands around the Nursery Ground. The waitresses are chopping lemons and wiping down the counters, one of the two men in the ice-cream truck is having a breather in the front seat and the other is staring out his window into the middle distance.The next drink can wait, so can that trip to the toilets brought on by the last one. Everyone’s attention is fixed on one thing. It has been four years, four months and 17 days, since anyone has seen Jofra Archer bowl in a Test match
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Ali’s report is in so it’s time to say goodbye. Rob Smyth and Jim Wallace will call the shots tomorrow.Get Sky back on: Jimmy Anderson is bowling to Jonny Bairstow in the Roses T20.Here are some pretty mad numbers on Joe Root. Since the start of 2021, he has 5,396 Test runs at an average of 55
Jasprit Bumrah marvels for India with next level showing to dismantle top order | Barney Ronay
Jasprit times call for Jasprit measures. Lord’s on a brutally hot July morning can feel like an assault on the senses, with its crush of pastel-shirted flesh, the walkways seething with food wafts, hamper-flash, ice-bucket envy.The home of cricket had at least immersed itself fully in the Red for Ruth charity on day two of this third Test, laying on an endless rolling field of red trouser cloth, every shade from faded salmon to screw-you scarlet on show. Admittedly it was like this on day one too. But you can never have enough charity
Archer and Bumrah make batters sweat as England and India toil on day two at Lord’s
The over rate was pathetic and the heat oppressive yet every spectator in Lord’s was transfixed. Nothing stirs the senses quite like high-quality pace bowling and so it proved here, be it the latest five-wicket display of Jasprit Bumrah’s mastery in the morning or Jofra Archer striking third ball on his comeback.Archer first, and a moment that will live long in the memory for both the player and his supporters in the stands. As India closed on 145 for three in reply to 387 all out, his figures read a tidy one for 22 from 10 overs. And yet the numbers told only part of the story, with that solitary wicket, one that stopped everyone in their tracks and triggered an eruption of noise around NW8, unquestionably the moment of the day
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