EAST Thurrock and South Basildon MP James McMurdock says he "will continue, undeterred, as I have since the day of my election, to dedicate my energies to being the best parliamentary representative I can be for my constituents" after being cleared of financial impropriety by not declaring his business interests.

For the second time in his short parliamentary career Mr McMurdock found himself at the centre of national publicity at the beginning of July when he quit the Reform Party after allegations by the Sunday Times that he had illegally benefitted from Covid bounce back loans, amounting to £70,000.

The Sunday Times' report levelled two significant charges against the MP, including the possibility of criminality in obtaining loans fraudulently.

Separately it alleged he appeared to have breached parliamentary rules by failing to list his directorship of Gym Live Health and Fitness Limited on his register of interests.

Parliamentary rules state MPs must register "significant, formal unpaid roles such as an unpaid directorship, a directorship of a company not currently trading, or a trusteeship".

That allegation was referred to the parliamentary standards commissioner by Labour MP Jon Pearce.

A subsequent investigation by standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg, noted that McMurdock had said he was advised during an induction into Parliament "that this specific interest did not need to be registered".

Mr Greenberg did not uphold the complaint but said his unpaid directorship should now be registered in his parliamentary interests.

"Although this advice did not qualify as formal safe harbour advice, I decided it was reasonable for Mr McMurdock to have relied on the advice he had been given and therefore did not uphold the allegation," explained Mr Greenberg.

However, Mr Greenberg said that this advice given at the induction session was "wrong".

Mr McMurdock said the "malicious attack" had "failed". He added he denied any wrongdoing and said on social media "all my business dealings had always been conducted fully within the law and in compliance with all regulations".

The MP stepped down from Reform and now sits as an independent MP, having previously said 'there was no way back' for him rejoining Reform, even if he was 'completely cleared'.

Mr McMurdock took up his seat following last July's general election when he won the seat from Labour by 98 votes.

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".

The financial dealings of Mr McMurdock have been referred to the Public Sector Fraud Authority and it is understood investigations into the allegations of criminal impropriety continue.

In his latest statement, Mr McMurdock said: "I will continue, undeterred, as I have since the day of my election, to dedicate my energies to being the best parliamentary representative I can be for my constituents."

He also said the complaint to the standards commissioner had been made "without substance, designed to damage my reputation".

Previous media headlines surrounded Mr McMurdock when it was revealed he had served a custodial sentence for assaulting his girlfriend.

He served 21 days for assaulting her, including kicking her four times.