Reform MP James McMurdock has withdrawn the whip from himself over allegations against him related to business propriety, the party says. Chief whip Lee Anderson says McMurdock, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, made the decision because of "allegations that are likely to be published by a national newspaper", which has not been named.

Oh dear. Reform UK has made much of its recent progress. Having lost Rupert Lowe at the beginning of this year, Farage’s forces then gained Sarah Pochin at a stonking set of local elections.

James McMurdock will sit as an independent while a probe takes place over the allegations, according to chief whip Lee Anderson