Should an MP convicted of sexual assault be allowed to stand? | LBC debate

Ben Kentish shares his thoughts and hears from these callers after it was revealed that Reform MP, James McMurdock, was accused of sexually assaulting a former girlfriend, almost 20 years ago.
0:06 - Ben Kentish points out that James McMurdock has become 'the poster boy of giving people a second chance', but says his 'gut instinct' is that he shouldn't be allowed to be an MP.
2:15 - Caller Tess: 'If someone commits an act of violence they have crossed a Rubicon in terms of the way they behave towards people'
5:58 - Caller Sal says: 'Is it fair that you should hold it against him? No. It was 20 years ago.'
10:37 - Caller Julia says: 'I'm a teacher, if I went out and punched someone in the face, I would display behaviour that hopefully would legally prevent me from looking after children again.'
'He didn't steal a packet of crisps, he assaulted somebody', says caller Julia.
Listen to the full show on Global Player: app.af.globalp...
#benkentish #reformuk #ukpolitics #uknews #LBC
LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK.
Join in the conversation and listen at www.lbc.co.uk/
Sign up to LBC’s weekly newsletter here: l-bc.co/signup

[@waynereid9471]

At the minimum it should be disclosed ahead of an election campaign My opinion would be a no

[@moochoman9948]

If you cant pass a CRB check you shouldnt be allowed to stand.

[@garriejackson9551]

Corruption lives in many ways

[@GregOrCreg]

Standing as a Reform UK candidate hardly amounts to 'rehabilitation'.

[@simonsmith4015]

😂😂😂😂

[@chatham43]

@Greg Why not? What an odd thing to say.

[@GregOrCreg]

@@chatham43 Have you seen their statements on Andrew Tate? They're clearly appealing to the misogynist demographic.

[@minui8758]

@@chatham43because it’s an extremist right wing party

[@Whythehate]

​@@chatham43 Have your 30p dinner. They are continually removing people from the party due to offensive behaviour (and lack of due diligence on their part) and are supported by far-right organisations.

[@dc56789]

What on earth is happening to this country. The answer is absolutely not.

[@RoofLight00]

In a position of power and responsibility. If it was a police application it would be denied due to a criminal history for a serious offence

[@AaronsTasteTravels]

Clearly haven't seen just how many members of the police force are being found to have previous convictions and issues prior to their successful applications

[@ruthwashbrook4759]

@RoofLight if he applied to the Met with that offence he probably would have got the job. It wouldn't disbar him as the Met has a history of this- ths number of officers up on disciplinary charges for things that for any of us would be prosecuted but they hide behind the uniform.

[@Thai.Farang]

You've got absolutely no idea. Many of the Police have criminal records. Totally clueless.

[@beandinner1262]

There's always something going on with these "patriot" types isn't there.

[@greamespens1460]

What like those on the left behave differently do they

[@robertfmorton]

​@@greamespens1460I don't see anyone on the left being convicted of crimes.

[@lukerogers2832]

​@@greamespens1460 Stop deflecting. Right or left, you don't hit women. Ever.

[@gordonstrong5232]

​@@greamespens1460 Yes, for the most part left leaning men are kinder, less domineering and more empathetic than right leaning men, and are therefore less likely to commit domestic abuse.

[@greamespens1460]

@@lukerogers2832 don't hit people ever

[@andyduijkers4910]

One word NO!

[@georgehandley1447]

This over simplification of complicated questions is so unhelpful

[@damianleah6744]

Of course not, this should not even be a question. He would not be able to be taxi driver never mind a MP.

[@Paulcoffee-hc1wg]

Get a grip, ese.

[@moochoman9948]

​@@Paulcoffee-hc1wgThey are 100% correct

[@faithpearlgenied-a5517]

​@@Paulcoffee-hc1wgGet a grip? For stating a fact? 😂

[@neilg6675]

Normally they have to get elected before they do that sort of thing

[@holdontoyourwig]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Cyber_77]

The fact that James Mcmurdock and his party Reform kept this from the public, tells us everything we need to know. He’s a liar and cannot be trusted. Same with the Reform Party. If you were “reformed”, you’d be honest and let the public decide if they still want you as their MP.

[@greamespens1460]

Would you like to send your name and address to him if you stand by your claim

[@steveturner6770]

@@greamespens1460 why?

[@greamespens1460]

@@steveturner6770 if someone accused me of lying I would look at legal action. But if you do not want to stand by your word you have no obligation

[@jujutrini8412]

Spot on!

[@naga9067]

​@@greamespens1460 Defamation only applies if it causes someone harm as a result. I think we can let KZbin comments go, you wally.

[@timstoddard3707]

Personally, I don't think so. That being said, I think it should have been addressed during the campaign, his constituents have a right to know what kind of person they are voting for, their flaws and their efforts to redeem themselves.

[@GregOrCreg]

Ironically, for a party called Reform UK, I find a lot of their members, candidates and MPs are anything but 'reformed' characters.

[@Matthew-bu7fg]

surely this guy is an example of a reformed character? If he's learned from his mistake at the age of 19 and hasn't committed any further misdemeanours then that is the absolute definition of being "reformed".

[@chatham43]

@Greg Really? What's your source?

[@Martyn-b4n]

He joined Reform that's hardly rehabilitated, 😮

[@geraldinemallon1043]

In a word……NO!

[@adamlee3772]

I would not be allowed to do my job if I failed a credit check or had a conviction like this on my DBS check and I am merely an engineer. So to become a member with it certainly shouldn't be allowed. Plus, if he and Deform UK Ltd were honest, they would have let it be known prior to the election.

[@AlejandroMonteagudo]

Came here to say this... I work in insurance... I would not br able to do it... but I can run the country?

[@tonybrett5209]

Quite simply NO. You wouldn't be able to get a job in HoC with a conviction. I worked at Whitehall and had to have DBS and Security checks.

[@sasserine]

Have you noticed how it's the strict law and order types, complaining that prison is too soft, that sentences are too short, that criminal convictions should follow a person for the rest of their life, are the same people who'll ask for clemency and forgiveness when it's one of their own?

[@Whythehate]

Police drive miles to fine a couple for having friends round, but Police standing outside No.10 while music blares out and Tories come in with bags of wine? The party of law and order lied to the Queen and to Parliament. Reform will be the same, but much worse.

[@julieholdcroftbetty8520]

No, absolutely not.

[@alundavies1016]

I’m inclined to say no.

[@JodieAprilMae]

No!!

[@therealking6202]

Considering Trump has also been convicted of SA, how about President of the United States?

[@MAGAted]

don't be silly, it wasn't a criminal conviction, and we know why don't we ?

[@therealking6202]

@@MAGAted Hahahahahah..... The way you people try to twist the truth to avoid accountability. Would you let your daughter date someone found liable of SA against a woman? Or would you find ways to justify it, just like you're doing right now? "It's ok honey, it wasn't a criminal conviction, what could go wrong?"

[@greamespens1460]

And they claim against Clinton

[@therealking6202]

@@MAGAted First, please try harder to make sense. Second, he was found liable. Don't know what else to tell you buddy. He's your cult leader, you better learn how to accept it.

[@jujutrini8412]

Why do people always have to bring American BS into everything?!

[@annepoitrineau5650]

Do not get me wrong, I will never vote reform or tory.

[@user-is1if8vg5m]

Definitely NO

[@Stabe1981]

The bottom line is we dont have rehabilitation, even at 19 years.

[@markdavies8514]

I feel very passionate about this. I committed offences some years back when I was addicted to alcohol, since then I have worked with other people with substance misuse problems and mental health problems,.and believe me, we really are best places to help people in that situation. I have been to university since, been promoted many times, hold a masters level leadership qualification and occupy a senior position in a mental health rehabilitation service

[@lyndarawlins7932]

No

[@chrishampton2565]

I think the description needs changing He wasn't accused as stated, he was convicted. 2 very different things.

[@margaretmckay-os1sz]

Absolutely NO.

[@nightlordAL]

No.

[@coleuk8817]

Thought being dodgy in some way was part of the job specification for being in Reform UK?

[@elizabethhoward5969]

No, this is not America

[@perrymason866]

So he’d be disbarred from working in health and social care - apart from being appointed the minister in charge of it all? Makes no sense.

[@homeandfamilyservices2650]

If you get a jail term then it was a serious assault or he had history. It wasnt a one off, oooppps, it was a one off I did when young. He cant work in a constituency surgery dealing with domestic violence issues.

[@Stabe1981]

He doesnt have to disclose it. Its 20 years ago.

[@rw31415]

I am sure the Daily Mail / Telegraph would consider this to be completely unimportant if it was a Labour MP.

[@zoranblackie5921]

Do you hear what you're saying? That the Daily Mail and Telegraph are 'pro-labour'? What possible echochamber could you be in to believe that? Or are you just trolling for Vlad?

[@parametr]

How many of you thought just as hearing he was a convicted criminal: "That's definitely gonna a Reform UK, maybe a Tory" ?

[@michealridgway7607]

There seems very little about this.can you imagine if he was a Labour MP

[@Shogomockid]

Sir, I hear you talking a lot about the guy, but so far, nothing about the victim?

[@CHIPorange]

The victim was under 18 so is anonymous, I believe.

[@django3422]

Why would he talk about the victim?

[@ajpeagle]

He is representative of Reform.

[@davidpeacock40]

I says far more about the recruitment process within refuk plc

[@andrewmorton3344]

Nobody with a twenty-year-old criminal conviction for assault should be barred from being an MP or anything. It's the concept of forgiveness! I don't actually believe in free will which is a further reason not to begrudge a high status position following twenty years of an unblemished record.

[@davejlboy4505]

Definitely not for a parliamentarian.

[@akal8775]

Absolutely NOT

[@Stabe1981]

If a 19 year old cant be forgiven after 20 years i dont know where we are.😂

[@Warbaman]

Soooo how many years until we forgive saville?

[@m420-nd1if]

​@@Warbaman hardly comparable

[@chrisj320ac3]

You guys too, huh. our world is cooked.

[@bettyswallocks6411]

Parliament is where our laws are made. Law breakers have no business being law breakers. Would you want an arsonist to be a firefighter?

[@Stabe1981]

He has the right to move on from something 20 years ago 😂😂😂😂

[@colinw7479]

If he was black would he be an MP??? Just saying.

[@bettyswallocks6411]

“… he has done nothing since then to try to be a productive member of society”. Is being a Regress UK Ltd MP, being a productive member of society?

[@chrisspencer6502]

Well since most jobs won’t hire you with a concoction.

[@BumberClarke]

A question that should not need an answer

[@jimmynorthmusic173]

I think the context of him being a reform member changes it for me, as that implies a certain type of person that has a tendency towards unpleasant ideas but that is only my own personal bias. However I feel that peoples objection to this is purely emotion (which is obviously understandable), but if we don't believe a fully grown man can change completely from when he was 19 then I worry what people actually mean by the word 'rehabilitation'. I think we can only be optimistic about the human condition if we want to survive the next century.

[@googleuser-zk9to]

Absolutely not!

[@petertownley7296]

a work colleague died of domestic violence last year head injury guy was never convicted as complex

[@JaimeP1208]

Didn’t the vetting firm even do DBS checks?

[@geoffnichols3831]

Should an m.p. covicted of importuning in a public place be an m.p. let alone prime minister, yes blair was done for cottaging, strange how different standards come in to play for other parties.

[@hamazonuk]

Double standard.

[@VicePointGTAX-wd9iz]

Our system shouldn't really require that he explicitly state it, as you would think all of the processes involved in becoming an MP would reveal it regardless of whether it was admitted - complaining that voters did or did not vote for it after the fact, is mostly irrelevant He was elected (I take it) and so what we "say" about it does not matter. Either way... I presume he was found guilty and given a jail sentence, which was completed and so "not being allowed to be an MP" isn't really part of his punishment.

[@marionmclean3749]

After the last few years, watching criminal activities going on in Westminster practically every day, I'm not sure what to say about this!

[@JamesMcNally-tu2zi]

In a nutshell he should not be allowed to stand beast

[@faithpearlgenied-a5517]

Obviously not. This country needs to raise its standards.

[@lucy2005rules]

We are very different people than we were at 19 (once you reach a certain age), we have to allow people to change and reform

[@Torquemadia]

And yet, when Layla Moran openly admitted to assaulting her partner (in fairness, she didn't even go to court but that's a whole other argument) and she has sat in Parliament for years with no-one even raising it as an issue.

[@ryantate6447]

What party ?

[@tans430]

Given that now as an MP he has to work with his staff in Parliament I cannot see it as appropriate that he should be allowed to stand

[@kofiastra9837]

So the people of Clacton really believe that Nigel is covered in these troubled times of ours with their concerns??

[@JamesMcNally-tu2zi]

Shouldn’t be near politics he’s a beast

[@VictorCharlesEvans]

NO!!!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!

[@__globalcitizen__]

The electorate should have been given all facts prior to the vote....

[@user-lh9ei6he1h]

There needs to be a look into reform officials including sources of money into the Business . Is there any other democratic country that has a political party registered as a business?

[@dekone5758]

NO

[@thejaywall93]

No

[@jasonthompson7378]

It’s so hard to answer this question. He was 19 now he has kids and is a grown man. Should he still suffer for it? Should he be given a second chance? My guts no but my brain says yes!

[@Paulcoffee-hc1wg]

He apparently pushed her. That makes him a monster ? Come on. Jesus

[@Stabe1981]

This was in 2005.

[@twohopes8353]

yeah, but why keep hiding it from the public?

[@Stabe1981]

@@twohopes8353 if someone had done something bad at school then would u want to know that? I think its 20 years ago. For what he did, which was bad, he doesn't need to mention it. I doubt it would be even on his dbs. He works in banking that requires some trust.

[@kabtak252]

Never

[@gavinsmith9564]

Nope

[@blaxtru]

"Where should I go?" James McMurdock asked his mates. "Bleedin' obvious," they replied, "Nige Farrage will have you. No probs."

[@Matthew-bu7fg]

Are these people consistent with their views? If they are utterly convinced that this guy shouldn't have stood then I hoped they were ringing up calling for Johnson and Sunak to immediately resign as MPs when they were found to have broken the law (their own laws) over partygate.

[@NeelAttwood25]

wayne cousins,David Carrick. Need I say more

[@wendyholland2339]

Where they asalted crisps 😂

[@Stabe1981]

You could say he shouldnt be in banking lol😂

[@Paulcoffee-hc1wg]

Apparently he " pushed her", and according to the " victim" he is a Monster. Wow. Tell the FULL story, please

[@AaronsTasteTravels]

He pushed a girl when he was 19.... 20odd years ago??! Wow, seriously this is what people are worried about?

[@ericaceous1652]

Where my comments at?

[@sharonjames2041]

😢he's White 😂😂Please 💔

[@adambrickley1119]

Bi-election season open already?

[@Paulcoffee-hc1wg]

2 sides to every story, listen to both before you come to a conclusion

[@Lynnefromlyn]

He’s already been listened to and judged to be guilty.

[@rb1062]

I wonder if he would have come to that conclusion if we were talking about a Labour MP.

[@Paulcoffee-hc1wg]

Tess is so messed up. These Women are beyond help

[@garriejackson9551]

Let's be honest, for him to be jailed it must have been more intense than a slap in the face, he must have done a lot more damage

[@paulgibbons2320]

If he wasn't a reform UK candidate, you wouldn't care. There are offenders all over the house.

[@wendyholland2339]

You lot would argue with you selfs 😂😂😂

[@666ingz]

Selfs 🧝

[@garriejackson9551]

No way should he be allowed to be in the most important Court in the country, most of us normal people would be lucky to get a job as a cleaner with that record

[@LordWalsallian]

If this was a Lib Dem or Labour MP the comments would be positive in this thread…😂 and the presenter would be saying the opposite.

[@Stabe1981]

You cant have it both ways. It doesnt sit comfortably because its reform. We know LBC agenda.

[@Hindsighht]

No.

[@mariannehavisham8323]

No

[@andymiles6311]

No