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.”
Deputy leader Richard Tice, speaking during a Reform UK news conference on law and order. Pic: PA
‘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…
