Andy Burnham, the man set to become prime minister on 20 July, has demanded a serious review of MPs’ security following the death of Ann Widdecombe – a killing now being investigated by counter-terrorism police. The former Greater Manchester mayor said politics had "darkened" in the decade he had been away from Westminster, and he was "shocked to see how much security now has to be in place".
Widdecombe, a Reform UK spokeswoman and former Conservative minister, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, last Thursday. A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham was arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday, then re-arrested on Monday on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. The killing has prompted renewed debate over the safety of politicians.
“Andy Burnham calls for MP security review after Ann Widdecombe's death; he is set to become PM.”
Burnham, who secured the backing of 349 Labour MPs to replace Sir Keir Starmer, told the BBC he knew Widdecombe "over many years in the House – we got along and everybody got along, but it feels like something has changed". He added: "It's easy to blame social media, but it feels like it's having some impact in just building that kind of toxicity that's around the political debate."
The call for a security review came as Reform's Robert Jenrick accused the government of a "dereliction of duty" over Nigel Farage's taxpayer-funded security, claiming it had been "downgraded". Jenrick said his party leader had not been offered the security he needed, after it emerged Reform turned down an offer of government-funded security last year. The Home Office described Jenrick's comments as "categorically untrue", with a spokesperson adding that ministers were not involved in deciding MPs' security.
Reform sources said Farage was offered an enhanced security package by parliamentary authorities in July 2024 – two rotating teams of eight security officials – but that in September 2025 the threat was reviewed and a downgraded offer was made: a car, driver and one close protection officer. Reform rejected that state-funded support and chose instead to privately fund Farage's security.
Burnham, who returned to Westminster only three weeks ago after a historic by-election win in Makerfield, now faces calls from a cross-party group of MPs to allow councils to increase council tax by as much as they want. The prime minister-in-waiting has run unopposed for the Labour leadership, with no rival candidate able to reach the nomination threshold. His route to No 10 will not require a vote among party members and affiliated trade union supporters. The 56-year-old left Westminster in 2017 to run for the Greater Manchester mayoralty, but his by-election victory and heavy Labour losses in May's local elections led to Sir Keir's resignation.
With Burnham expected to become prime minister next Monday, the question of how to protect those who serve in public office – and how to fund local services – is already dominating his inbox.
