Home Secretary orders urgent security review after Ann Widdecombe murder

The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has ordered an urgent review of security protections for high-profile public figures after the murder of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe.

In a statement to the Commons, Mahmood said there is insufficient protection for those who serve in public life. She announced that police support will be expanded with immediate effect to political figures who are not currently MPs. This covers former MPs, peers and party spokespeople. They will get access to a named police officer and help with wider security measures.

The review will be led by Sir Stephen Lovegrove, the former UK national security adviser. It will examine the protective security provided by the state to people in public life and report within six months. The current system for armed protection is run by Ravec, which handles royal and diplomatic protection. Critics say its remit has not gone wide enough. The Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary receive armed close protection because of their positions. Others get protection after a threat assessment.

The Home Secretary opened her statement by describing the killing of Ann Widdecombe three months ago as a horrific and desperate tragedy. She noted that the man charged with her murder has also been charged with preparing acts of terrorism, including against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The suspect was charged on 2 October with a terrorism offence, including preparing an act of terror against Farage. Widdecombe was a member of Reform UK. The party welcomed the review but said it was disappointed it took a murder, threats and months of campaigning to prompt action. Its spokesman, Zia Yusuf, said changes should come immediately and called for round-the-clock protection for parliamentarians. Reform UK has argued that the security provided to Farage did not go far enough; Farage has said he pays for his own security. In one broadcast discussion, it was claimed that Farage has received 1,700 threats since February, including nearly 600 credible death threats. The same discussion questioned whether close protection for all 650 MPs is realistic, and suggested targeted protection based on risk, plus measures such as security guards, screening and panic alarms.

The Home Secretary also used the statement to set out action against Iran. She said attacks on the Jewish community in the UK have been orchestrated by Iran, and that Iran is using proxies on British soil. The foreign secretary summoned the Iranian ambassador. The UK sanctioned two individuals involved in espionage and attacks on behalf of the Iranian government in Europe and the US. The Prime Minister said it was highly likely that Iran was behind an alleged plot to attack RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The UK, the US and 27 other countries released a joint statement condemning Iran's violent acts, including lethal plotting. Police questioned seven men after five were seen acting suspiciously near three vans on a farm backing onto the perimeter fence at Fairford. All were released on bail. Counterterrorism police described a complex investigation.