Political figures who are not currently MPs will be given police support, the home secretary has announced. Shabana Mahmood told MPs there was “insufficient protection” for those serving in public life and that the new announcement will cover peers, former MPs and party spokespeople. She also announced an urgent, independent review of security arrangements for high-profile figures including politicians and royals. It comes three months after Reform UK spokeswoman and former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Devon, having been hit on the head with a hammer 21 times as she ate lunch.
Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with her murder, and he was also charged with preparing acts of terror against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Kerry is alleged to have carried out research on prominent targets over a period of two years, including trying to gain entry into Farage’s London home. Speaking in the Commons on Monday, Mahmood said that “robust debate and criticism are part of this job – threats, abuse and violence are not.” She did not elaborate on what the support would involve, but told MPs it would include access to a named police officer and help with wider security measures. The safety of politicians has been a prominent issue in recent years, following the murders of Conservative MP Sir David Amess in 2021 and Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.
“We owe it to them and to everyone who believes in a fair and open country to ensure that those who serve at all levels receive the protection they deserve,” Mahmood added. The “root and branch” independent review into security arrangements will be led by former national security advisor Stephen Lovegrove, and will look into “physical threats, online risks and the dangers posed within our more polarised society”. Mahmood confirmed that the review will report within six months, and build on the existing work of Sir Robert Buckland, who is leading a separate review into the murder of Sir David. In response, shadow home secretary Chris Philp welcomed the extension of protective measures, saying threats to elected representatives are threats to democracy.
Reform UK’s home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf welcomed the review, but added: “It is disappointing that it took the murder of one of our colleagues, countless threats towards our party spokespeople and months of campaigning from Reform UK to make this government take action.” Reform has in recent months accused the government of a “dereliction of duty” over Farage’s taxpayer-funded security, claiming it had previously been “downgraded” – a charge that the Home Office has said is “categorically untrue”. Decisions over the security of current MPs and members of the House of Lords are made by the House of Parliament’s security team. There is a separate, independent committee, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), to deal with high-profile political candidates, which is staffed by officials from the Home Office, the Cabinet Office, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The Jo Cox Foundation welcomed the home secretary’s announcement but said “strengthening physical security” alone was not enough.
“We must also tackle the root causes – including online harms and education – to prevent future attacks,” its chief executive Olivia Field said in a statement on X. According to data released to the BBC in April, the number of alleged offences against MPs have increased year-on-year, with 976 recorded in 2025, compared to 364 in 2019. MPs reported 4,064 crimes to the Met’s Parliamentary Liaison Team between 2019 and 2025. Most offences were related to malicious communications followed by harassment, and criminal damage to a building.
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