Shabana Mahmood points MPs’ safety replace after Ann Widdecombe ‘homicide’
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood issued an update to MPs in the Commons after counter-terrorism police took over the investigation into the death of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe
Politicians have been left reeling by the alleged murder of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Shabana Mahmood has promised to look at politicians’ security guidance after the alleged murder of Ann Widdecombe.
The Home Secretary said the job of an MP should not be a “dangerous” one as she called this moment “a dark day in our political life”.
Politicians have been left reeling by the death of 78-year-old Ms Widdecombe, who served as a Conservative MP for 23 years. After quitting Parliament, she later joined Reform UK. Counter terror police are now leading the investigation into her death.
Ms Mahmood said Ms Widdecombe was “a distinctive and devoted public servant”. She also paid tribute to Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, who were murdered while serving as MPs.
She offered Nigel Farage a meeting with the chair of Ravec (Royal and VIP Executive Committee), an independent body within the Home Office that manages the security of those in public life. Some Reform figures have questioned the security of their politicians in recent days.
In a statement in the Commons, Ms Mahmood told MPs: “Politics is a calling for those of us here, but it should not be a dangerous one. And so it is incumbent on the House and the government to work together to protect those who choose to serve.”
She said security measures are “kept under constant review” and that the police “intend to issue guidance to MPs soon”. “I will also be looking at what security guidance can be provided to former members of Parliament, which I hope to work with you on Mr Speaker, as well as those who serve a party outside of this place,” she said.
The Home Secretary also acknowledged that “the current climate that we are operating in within our national politics is unlike any that most of us have seen”. She said more work is needed across society to define boundaries between “passionate, contested, fierce debate” and “behaviour that spills into threats and harassment of the kind that is designed to drive people out of, public life”.
She added: “There is more work for us to do across society. That includes social media platforms taking greater responsibility for the kinds of behaviours that are promoted on their platforms.”
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman, who is not an MP, on Sunday wrote on X that “none of the government, the Speaker nor the police care at all about the security of Reform MPs”.
During Monday’s Commons debate, Ms Mahmood thanked Speaker Lindsay Hoyle for his efforts to boost MPs’ security. Sir Lindsay later told the chamber every MP is “equal” when it comes to security. He told MPs: “Every member of Parliament is equal in their security to me – there is no difference between any member, I want to reassure you.”
A 28-year-old white British man who was arrested on suspicion of Ms Widdecombe’s murder on Saturday has since been re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Ms Mahmood confirmed to MPs that the man was not known to the government’s anti-terror Prevent programme.
She warned against speculating about details of the case, telling the chamber: “The police have cautioned against speculating about the case. That is the right thing to do for Ann’s family and friends. It is also vital that the police are given the space they need to carry out their work.”
In a tribute to Ms Widdecombe, as she closed her statement, Ms Mahmood said: “Today is a dark day in our political life, but we must also use it as an opportunity to celebrate Ann Widdecombe’s memory. She was a unique figure in our politics, a distinctive and devoted public servant, the likes of whom we will rarely, if ever, see again.”
Earlier today Laurence Taylor, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said new information and evidence had come to light during the police investigation into her murder. He said Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation, adding: “We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.”
Mr Taylor said: “Building on the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police, we now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation. We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.
“Our priority is progressing this investigation quickly, with all the capabilities we have available to us. If anyone has any information, please share it with the police.
“We would like to thank local communities, the wider public and the media for their ongoing support and patience, and would ask them to continue to support us in the next stage of the investigation.”
