The key facts

  • Perran Moon (Camborne and Redruth) voluntarily referred himself to a party investigation and has been suspended
  • His company Autoswot received the maximum Bounce Back loan of £50,000 and ceased trading at the end of 2022
  • This is the third case among MPs linked to Covid loans: previously Alaba (Labour) and McMurdock (former Reform)

Moon's suspension

A second Labour MP, Perran Moon, representing the Camborne and Redruth constituency, has been suspended after he voluntarily referred himself for an investigation over a Bounce Back loan taken out by his company. According to Companies House, Moon is a co-director of the training company Autoswot, which last filed accounts in June 2021.

Details of the loan and the company

Autoswot was founded in June 2019, a year before the loan scheme was launched, and at the time forecast revenue of more than £200,000. The Bounce Back Loans scheme, launched in May 2020, issued loans totalling £46 billion with a 100% government guarantee; according to the Covid fraud commissioner's estimate, the total damage from fraud and errors amounted to up to £2.8 billion. Moon said he applied for the maximum loan of £50,000 within the rules, regularly consulted specialists, and the funds went towards 'paying staff and other necessary business expenses'; partial repayments were made until the company ceased trading at the end of 2022. According to the BBC, Moon received written assurances from Companies House that accounts were not required after filing an application to strike the company off the register, but this guidance turned out to be incorrect. Moon said the company closed due to unforeseen external market pressures 'despite all the efforts of the staff'.

Statements by Moon and the party

'So that these matters can be examined, I have voluntarily referred myself to the Labour Party's investigations process and will fully cooperate with this process,' Moon said, adding that the loan application was made in good faith and that the information provided, including the turnover forecast, was accurate and justified. He pledged to continue representing his constituents. A party spokesman confirmed Moon's referral, stating that the party expects the highest standards from elected representatives and cannot comment further while the investigation is ongoing.

Previous cases

This is the second Labour Party investigation into Covid loans: in August, MP Bayo Alaba (Southend East and Rochford) was suspended, also having referred himself to an investigation over loans for his property company Alaba Properties. At the time, Alaba said: 'There was no attempt to avoid my financial obligations, and I am fully committed to repaying the debt in full.' The first MP to face questions was James McMurdock, who received loans of £70,000 for two fitness companies; in 2025 he left the Reform whip, saying that all his business dealings complied with the rules, and continued serving as an independent MP.

Head and shoulders shot of Perran Moon, who has a neat beard and is wearing a dark brown suit with a white shirt and burgundy tie.
Image caption,

Perran Moon has referred himself to be investigated

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