The body of Ann Widdecombe, the Reform UK spokesperson and former Tory minister, was found with serious injuries by the ambulance service at her home in Devon on Thursday morning. Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into her death. On Saturday, a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder; he was later rearrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
In the wake of the killing, Reform UK members openly challenged House of Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle, claiming that the party’s MPs do not receive enough security support. Zia Yusuf, the Reform home affairs spokesperson, suggested the government, parliament and police did not “care at all” about the security of the party’s MPs. Richard Tice also framed the dispute as the “establishment” versus Reform UK, echoing Nigel Farage’s argument when he resigned as MP for Clacton.
“Ann Widdecombe murder sparks Reform UK security row; home secretary offers Farage meeting with Home Office protection unit.”
Hoyle’s team reacted angrily. “It’s disappointing because security is a massive priority for the speaker,” one parliamentary source said. “We’re always reviewing security, and this sort of thing just causes general anxiety.” Lee Anderson, the Reform chief whip, was called in for a meeting with Hoyle after Yusuf’s comments. Parliamentary sources suggested Reform UK was trying to “weaponise” a previous complaint about its MPs being harassed outside Westminster to gain attention before the Clacton byelection.
Addressing the Commons after Widdecombe’s death, home secretary Shabana Mahmood insisted all MPs are treated equally in how they are offered protection. She said the incident raised questions about the security of former MPs and politicians from smaller parties, including those not in parliament. Mahmood offered Nigel Farage a personal meeting with the Home Office’s royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec), which decides on the scale of official protection offered to politicians. Both Mahmood and Hoyle insisted that people were considered in similar ways for protection regardless of party.
Farage replied on X, thanking the home secretary and adding: “I will meet with the chair of Ravec and discuss the security of all Reform politicians, including those who are not MPs.” Farage has previously said he had been refused sufficient protection from the state.
