UK to review high-profile figures' security arrangements after ex-minister's murder

Britain's Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood speaks at Britain's Labour Party's annual conference, in Liverpool, Britain, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab LONDON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Britain's interior minister Shabana Mahmood on Monday announced an urgent ​review of the security arrangements for high-profile ‌public figures, in the wake of the killing of an ex-minister which prosecutors allege was ideologically motivated.

Mahmood said the review would ​examine the current security provided to high-profile ​individuals, including royals, as well as ministers, lawmakers ⁠and other prominent politicians. Sign up here. "It is clear there is ​insufficient protection for those who serve," Mahmood told parliament. She ​also said dedicated police support will be expanded to leaders of political parties who are not lawmakers, former lawmakers and party ​spokespeople, "giving them access to a named police officer, ​as well as help with wider security measures".

Mahmood's announcement follows ‌the killing ⁠in July of Ann Widdecombe, a junior Conservative minister in the mid-1990s and more recently a prominent figure in Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. Joshua Kerry had ​been charged with ​the murder ⁠of Widdecombe when he was subsequently accused of a terrorism offence targeting Farage and ​other unnamed public figures. Prosecutors allege Kerry attempted ​to ⁠gain entry to Farage's house in April 2025, with police watchdog the IOPC investigating the police's response.

Widdecombe's killing, ⁠which ​stoked concerns about politicians' security, ​came after two serving British members of parliament were killed in 2016 ​and 2021. Adds quotes, background from paragraph 3 Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by William James Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Suggested Topics: United Kingdom X Facebook Linkedin Email Link Purchase Licensing Rights