Parliamentary standards probe into MP over alleged facilitation of racial abuse on X

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has opened an inquiry into independent Essex MP James McMurdock after he was accused of using social media to facilitate racial abuse.

The commissioner is examining claims that McMurdock posted the single letter "N" on the platform X in response to a post about a Black journalist asking Reform UK leader Nigel Farage a question, and that other users then replied with individual letters that together formed a racial slur. The complaint, lodged with the commissioner by Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, alleges the conduct caused "significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House of Commons."

Obese-Jecty told Times Radio that "the tweet he made was an absolute disgrace, whether accidental or otherwise, and I think it's appalling a Member of Parliament should seek to denigrate a Westminster journalist simply for the colour of her skin. In my opinion he is not fit to be a Member of Parliament." The complaint prompted the independent standards office to begin its assessment, the first stage of the formal investigation process overseen by the commissioner.

McMurdock denied the allegations on Tuesday, saying he had "unknowingly posted an entirely random, and wholly insignificant, one-letter comment" while on holiday and that he had "no connection" to the accounts that posted the subsequent letters. He said he would co-operate with the investigation and added, "I'll respond and they'll clear it."

The commissioner will determine whether McMurdock breached the House of Commons code of conduct, including provisions that members must not act in a way that could reasonably be regarded as bringing the House into disrepute. The inquiry will assess the circumstances of the post, the MP's intent, and any resulting harm to the reputation of Parliament.

McMurdock, who left Reform UK amid questions about Covid loans taken out by companies connected to him, also has a previous conviction for assault, details of which were cited in public reporting of the case. He sits in the House of Commons as an independent member following his departure from Reform.

The alleged social media tactic, sometimes referred to as an "N‑tower," involves users posting individual letters in replies to form a banned word vertically and has been identified by campaigners and commentators as a way to evade platform moderation while targeting individuals with racist abuse. The investigation follows increased scrutiny of MPs' conduct online and the standards body's recent attention to cases it says may damage public confidence in Parliament.

The commissioner does not comment on ongoing inquiries. If the investigation finds a breach of the code, it can recommend sanctions to the Commons Standards Committee, which decides on any penalty. McMurdock said he would co-operate with investigators and declined further comment while the process is under way.