The Home Office has said comments by Robert Jenrick about security for Reform politicians, including Nigel Farage, are ‘categorically untrue’ after he accused the government of playing politics
Reform’s Robert Jenrick has been blasted for peddling “categorically untrue” claims about security for his party.
In a spiky radio rant, the former Tory minister claimed the government chose not to give Nigel Farage the protection he needed. Mr Jenrick went on to accuse the establishment of “playing politics” with MPs’ safety.
It comes after reports that Mr Farage turned down taxpayer-funded security – including a bodyguard, car and trained driver – last year. Reform said it had taken control of its leader’s protection, branding the offer – which could be bulked up for high-risk events – as inadequate.
Security for politicians is under the spotlight following the killing of Reform spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe last Thursday, with counter-terror police leading the investigation.
Following Mr Jenrick’s incendiary claims, a Home Office spokesman told The Mirror that protection is not decided based on political views. He said: “Robert Jenrick’s comments are categorically untrue. Neither the Home Secretary nor Ministers are involved in the provision of security for MPs.
“Responsibility for the protective security measures of Members of Parliament lies with the Parliamentary Security Department.”
It was reported by the i that Mr Farage was offered security on a par with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. But in a statement Reform branded this a “downgraded and inadequate package” and said the party had taken the decision to give him “proper protection”.
The security offer followed a review in July last year, it is understood. Mr Farage has repeatedly spoken of the threats he faces, saying last week: “For daring to be outside the consensual view on many issues, I’ve been attacked again and again. And I am the most physically and verbally attacked public figure or politician of modern times.”
In April it emerged Mr Farage was given a £5million gift by crypto tycoon Christopher Harborne. He initially said the money was handed over to pay for his security for life, but has since declined to say if the money has been spent.
In his attack, Mr Jenrick told the BBC’s Today Programme: “The government chose not to give Nigel the security that he needed.” And he continued: “That, I’m afraid, is playing politics with the safety of politicians, and I suspect that’s because they don’t like the views the Reform politicians take forward. Because we are not mainstream politicians. We are politicians who are fighting the establishment every single day. We’re not backing down.”
On Monday Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle 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.
“When things are brought to my attention – because we don’t discuss security, I don’t put out there what is happening, what has been done – but I reassure everybody that when it is mentioned to me, it is passed on to the security people to deal with.
“Unfortunately, I’m sorry that people don’t think I do that.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood offered the Reform leader a meeting with the chairman of the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), the body responsible for security of high-profile figures.
The independent body decides which members of the royal family, ministers and other high-profile figures get taxpayer-funded security.
On Sunday Reform’s home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf, who is not an MP, posted on X: “The state is providing no protection whatsoever.” The House of Commons rejected this, while Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: It’s absolutely paramount that MPs can go out there in the wider world safely and freely.
“There is a rigorous and proportionate security system in place to ensure the safety of MPs and ministers.
“As you’d expect, we keep this under constant review to ensure it is able to adapt and evolve to ever-changing threats, and the Parliamentary Security Department, police and Home Office teams work in close co-ordination to assess risk and provide comprehensive protective security measures.”
A statement from Reform said: “Nigel Farage is the most targeted politician in Britain and the only party leader who actually goes out to meet the public in huge numbers on the campaign trail.
“Within days of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, at a moment when the threat to public figures on the right was escalating, the security package Mr Farage was offered represented a 75% cut without clear reason.“Faced with a state offer that no longer matched the threat against him, Nigel declined the downgraded and inadequate package and Reform took the responsible decision to maintain proper protection rather than gamble with his life.”