Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has directly addressed and dismissed allegations from Reform UK that he does not prioritize the safety of the party's Members of Parliament. Senior figures within Reform UK had claimed that their MPs were not receiving adequate security, particularly in the wake of the suspected murder of former Tory minister and Reform spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe.
Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Dartmoor, on Thursday. Following her death, Reform UK has reportedly implemented round-the-clock security for its MPs and its home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, citing fears of copycat attacks. The party has accused the police, the government, and parliamentary officials of ignoring their recent appeals for assistance.
Richard Tice, Reform UK's deputy leader, expressed distress, stating, "It's as though someone in the establishment wants us dead. We're treated differently because of our views." Zia Yusuf echoed this sentiment, asserting, "The state is providing no protection whatsoever. In fact, based on what I have seen in the last 48 hours, none of the Government, the Speaker nor the police care at all about the security of Reform MPs."
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, speaking in the House of Commons, firmly refuted these claims. "Every MP is equal in their security to me," he stated. "There is no difference between any member, I want to assure you." He further explained that while security matters are not publicly discussed, any concerns brought to his attention are passed on to the relevant security personnel.
In response to the heightened concerns, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has offered to facilitate a meeting between Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and the chair of RAVEC (Royal and VIP Executive Committee), the Home Office body responsible for the security of public figures. Ms. Mahmood also indicated that the Home Office would review security guidance for former MPs.
Nigel Farage accepted the offer, posting on X that he would discuss the security of all Reform politicians, including those who are not MPs. The investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death is being led by counter-terrorism police. A 28-year-old man arrested in connection with her murder has since been rearrested on suspicion of terrorism offenses. The suspect was not known to the government's anti-extremism scheme, Prevent.
A Commons spokesman emphasized that "all MPs are offered appropriate security measures" and that any assessments are based on rigorous, risk-based evaluations involving security professionals and law enforcement. Sir Lindsay has previously expressed deep concern for MPs' safety, noting that the issue "keeps me awake at night."