Security of politicians and royals to be urgently reviewed, Shabana Mahmood says

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Security arrangements for high-profile public figures including politicians and royals will be reviewed urgently after the killing of Ann Widdecombe and other recent events, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said. Police support will be expanded to include leaders of political parties who are not MPs , as well as peers, former MPs, former members of the devolved parliaments and political party spokespeople, she said. The independent review, carried out by former national security adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove, will look at how existing security is provided and whether funding and measures are being used effectively. It will build on the work of Sir Robert Buckland, who is conducting a separate review into the murder of Sir David Amess, Ms Mahmood told the Commons. Reform UK spokeswoman Miss Widdecombe, 78, died on July 8 after she was hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon. Ms Mahmood said: “Those who enter public life do so to serve. Robust debate and criticism are part of the job. Threats, abuse and violence are not. “An attack on any individual in public life is an attack on every one of us, and it is an attack on democracy itself. “We owe it to those public servants we have tragically lost, and to everyone who believes in a fair and open country, to ensure those who serve receive the protection they deserve.” open image in gallery Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during a tribute to Ann Widdecombe (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire ) The man accused of murdering Miss Widdecombe, Joshua Kerry, 28, has also been charged with a terror plot against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage . Over a period of nearly two years before her killing, it is alleged he carried out research on prominent people and institutions and tried to gain entry to the south London home of Mr Farage on April 19 last year. Others named on a list uncovered during the investigation are said to include Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, and Reform MPs Richard Tice, Lee Anderson and Robert Jenrick. Addressing the Commons, Ms Mahmood said that, regardless of the outcome of the investigation into an attempted break-in at Mr Farage’s home, it is “clear there is insufficient protection for those who serve”. “I can therefore announce today that I will expand, with immediate effect, police support to political figures who are not currently members of Parliament,” she said. “This will include former members of Parliament, peers, and party spokespeople, giving them access to a named police officer, as well as help with wider security measures. “Today I also announce an independent root-and-branch review of the protective security provided by the state to those in public life.” open image in gallery Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he did not know who was on the list (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) ( PA Wire ) Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he had not been informed which MPs have been named in the alleged list. He told the Commons: “I have not been told which members are on the list. I’ve had no information. The only time I know is when members personally contact me, which I find very difficult to help and support. “It’s much harder when you read it in a newspaper of which MPs have been targeted, and named, and me having no knowledge. “I think it puts us all at a disadvantage, especially as we give the support of health and wellbeing and for security as well. So I think there is a gap that has not been closed.” The Jo Cox Foundation welcomed the announcement, but said the “root causes” must be addressed to prevent further attacks. CEO Olivia Field said: “We strongly welcome the Home Secretary’s commitment to expand police support, including to peers, retired MPs and political spokespeople as well as the introduction of a new independent review of protective security for people in public life, given new and emerging threats. “Yet, while strengthening physical security for representatives, former parliamentarians, and staff is critical, protection alone is not enough. As outlined by the Jo Cox Civility Commission, we must also tackle the root causes – including online harms and education – to prevent future attacks.” Reform UK home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf said: “This review from the Home Secretary is welcome, but 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.”