Domestic abuse campaigners 'appalled' by Tice's defence of Reform MP who kicked girlfriend

Wednesday, 4 December 2024 18:16

By Alexandra Rogers, political reporter

Domestic abuse campaigners have said they are "appalled" after Richard Tice appeared to question court records that detailed how a Reform MP physically abused a former partner.

James McMurdock, the Reform MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, was convicted and jailed for assaulting his then girlfriend in 2006 while drunk outside a nightclub.

He spent 21 days in a young offenders' institution after admitting to the attack.

However, while the court documents - uncovered by The Times newspaper - stated Mr McMurdock received the custodial sentence for "kicking" the victim "around four times", the MP said the pair had argued and he had pushed her.

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On Tuesday night, Mr Tice defended his Reform colleague, arguing that as a "Christian nation" people should not condemn Mr McMurdock "as a sinner forever".

Challenged by Sophy Ridge on the Politics Hub whether there had been a "major discrepancy" between Mr McMurdock's version of events and what had been reported, Mr Tice replied that his "understanding" of the incident was "different" to what The Times said had happened.

Pressed on what he believed happened, Mr Tice replied: "It actually doesn't matter."

"I'm trusting James," he said.

"He's bang on the money and I think that what he says is right. He was there. The court wasn't there. The Times weren't there.

"The law is the law. The law ruled that he had transgressed and he was punished. He served his punishment."

'A complete disregard for justice'

A spokesperson for Women's Aid told Sky News they were "appalled" by Mr Tice's interview.

"We are appalled by the interview that MP Richard Tice gave last night, in which he appeared to cast doubt over the court records that found his colleague had physically abused a former partner," they said.

"His statements showed a complete disregard for the role of justice in dealing with domestic abuse and a failure to recognise the positive example that policymakers should set in the context of tackling domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.

"Political figures should take action to end violence against women and girls and the misogyny that underpins it, not enshrine it further by discrediting the voices of victims and survivors."

They were joined in their criticism by Alicia Kearns, the Conservative shadow minister for national security, safeguarding and preventing violence against women and girls.

She posted on X: "'It doesn't matter', Reform says. It does to every survivor of domestic abuse. It does to every person currently living with male violence. Diminishing your actions is an attack on the victim. Diminishing doesn't demonstrate accountability."

Speaking to Kay Burley on Sky Breakfast, commentator Tim Montgomerie, who has just joined Reform, said he was "not going to be someone who's going to defend Reform at every point.

"If you kick a woman on the ground, it's unacceptable."

He added: "If that is what happened, that for me, is disqualifying."

According to the magistrate's sentencing remarks, Mr McMurdock was given 21 days in a young offenders' institution and "the sentence was not suspended in light of serious nature of the offence".

Mr McMurdock's victim's mother brought the incident to light a week after his election, saying he "left marks on her body" and "it took two security guards to pull him off her".

MPs do not have to disclose previous convictions to the public when standing, with only people in prison at the time of the election for a sentence of more than a year barred.

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When the allegations emerged, Mr McMurdock told Sky News the incident was "the biggest regret of my life".

He said: "While I absolutely deny the horrific details in this tale, there is one truth in it that I cannot, nor will not deny or hide from.

"A generous person might call it a teenage indiscretion but I do not expect everyone to be so kind.

"This is the biggest regret of my life and I wish I could go back in time and fix things."

Sky News