Reform MP Called ‘Criminal in Our Midst’ During Violence Against Women Debate
A Tory MP demands a ban on convicted individuals from Parliament amid a heated debate on violence against women
James McMurdock, Ben Obese-Jecty, Violence Against Women, UK, Parliament
London: A Tory MP is making waves by calling for a ban on anyone convicted of violence against women from holding a seat in Parliament. Ben Obese-Jecty didn’t hold back, pointing out that a member from Reform UK, James McMurdock, has a past conviction for assaulting his girlfriend.
During a Commons debate, Obese-Jecty shared the details of McMurdock’s case, which he didn’t disclose before getting elected. McMurdock initially claimed he just “pushed” his partner, but court records revealed he kicked her multiple times back in 2006 when he was a teen.
Obese-Jecty believes in giving offenders a second chance, but he feels that serious crimes like this should come with consequences, like losing the privilege of being an MP. He emphasized that having someone with such a conviction in Parliament is a serious issue that needs addressing.
He urged the government to consider new laws to prevent those with custodial sentences for violence against women from running for office. He also highlighted a specific case of a woman who was violently attacked by her boyfriend, stressing the need for accountability.
Obese-Jecty pointed out that the attacker, who claimed it was just a push, was actually sentenced to jail time for his actions. He criticized the Reform Party for seemingly ignoring the severity of the situation and questioned what they knew about McMurdock’s past.
Other MPs joined in, noting the absence of Reform members during this crucial debate. They expressed disappointment that some parties seem to pick and choose which issues to champion, calling for a more consistent approach to tackling abuse.