Home secretary offers Farage security talks as Reform criticises MP protection after Widdecombe death
Home secretary offers Farage security talks as Reform criticises MP protection after Widdecombe death
Shabana Mahmood has offered Nigel Farage a meeting with the Home Office unit overseeing politician security, after Reform UK complained its MPs were being neglected.
- Ann Widdecombe's body was found at her home in Devon; a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and later rearrested on terrorism-related offences.
- Mahmood offered Farage a meeting with the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), which decides on official protection for politicians.
- Farage accepted the meeting, saying he would discuss security for all Reform politicians, including those who are not MPs.
- Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle insisted every MP is equal in security, rejecting Reform home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf's claim that the state provided "no protection whatsoever" to the party.
Latest developments
- Robert Jenrick, Reform UK’s Treasury spokesperson, has accused the Home Secretary of deliberately withholding security from Nigel Farage for over a year because of political disapproval of Reform’s views.
What happened since
Reform UK proposes £100m security plan for all MPs after Widdecombe killing
Reform UK has proposed providing all 650 MPs with round-the-clock security, costing up to £100m, following the targeted killing of party figure Ann Widdecombe.
- Reform UK home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf announced the party would provide "round-the-clock protection" for all MPs and additional resources for former politicians still active in public life.
- Counter-terrorism police stated former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe was killed in a "targeted attack", prompting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to say the government must "do more to defend our democracy".
- Sir Keir Starmer told the House of Commons he has "tasked officials across government to identify the best mechanisms for taking this work forward".
- Labour MP Andy Burnham, due to replace Starmer as prime minister on 20 July, said a "serious review" is needed into MPs' security.
Coverage
Read the original reportingThis brief was compiled from 2 outlets, over 915 hours of coverage. Each is listed below with the headline it led on, so you can compare them yourself.
Ann Widdecombe seen in interview believed to be 20 minutes before attack
Government failing Farage over security, says Jenrick
Robert Jenrick criticises government for not offering Nigel Farage earlier security meeting
Chris Mason: Investigation into Widdecombe's death rekindles debate over how to protect politicians
Mahmood offers Farage security meeting after Ann Widdecombe’s death
Reform UK triggers row over MPs’ safety – podcast
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