Britain12 October, 20262 min read
Shabana Mahmood Orders Urgent Security Review After Ann Widdecombe Killing
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Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood orders urgent independent review of security for high-profile public figures. Review expands police protection to non-MPs including peers, former MPs, party spokespeople.
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Urgent security review
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced an urgent, independent review of security arrangements for high-profile figures after the killing of former minister Ann Widdecombe. Mahmood told Parliament that “It is clear that the protection provided to those who serve the country is not sufficient.” Mahmood said the review will consider current security measures for high-profile figures including members of the royal family, as well as ministers and members of Parliament.
Mahmood also said the government will expand policing support to cover party leaders who are not MPs, former MPs, and party spokespersons, including access to a named police officer and help with wider security measures. The review will be led by former national security advisor Stephen Lovegrove and will report within six months, while building on work by Sir Robert Buckland on the murder of Sir David Amess.
Widdecombe killing
Reform UK spokeswoman and former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Devon after being hit on the head with a hammer 21 times as she ate lunch. Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with her murder and also charged with preparing acts of terror against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Mahmood announced the review in response to rising risks of terrorism, extremism and state threats, as well as harassment and intimidation.
Mahmood ordered the urgent review after Widdecombe’s killing and said the UK’s protective security system would be re-examined to combat those risks. Mahmood told MPs that “Robust debate and criticism are part of this job - threats, abuse and violence are not.”
Who gets protection
Dedicated police support will be expanded to leaders of political parties who are not MPs, as well as peers, former MPs, former members of the devolved parliaments and political party spokespeople. Mahmood told the House of Commons that police support would include former members of Parliament, peers, and party spokespeople, giving them access to a named police officer and help with wider security measures. The review will not include an assessment of individual cases and will be carried out by Sir Stephen Lovegrove.
The review will look at whether funding and measures are being used effectively and proportionately and whether decision-making can be more consistent in response to threat and risk. The Jo Cox Foundation welcomed the announcement but said “strengthening physical security" alone was not enough.