There is a depressing familiarity to the conversation among MPs about their safety, the BBC's political editor writes. But the latest news about counter terrorism police taking over the investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death has brought back again, and in public, a discussion about how MPs can remain accessible and safe.
A sombre and reflective mood hung over the Commons on Monday afternoon as MPs remembered Widdecombe – many admiring her character and conviction, whether they agreed with her or not – and pondered what more could be done to protect those in public life.
“Counter-terror police take over Ann Widdecombe death probe; MPs blame social media for normalising violent abuse.”
The longstanding Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin pointed to an "unfortunate statistical fact" – that as an MP you are more likely to meet a violent death than a member of the armed forces or the police. Plenty of MPs, including those who have served for decades, said it felt more dangerous than ever, and many blamed social media for normalising violent language and abuse.
Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: "We need to reiterate, and the government and the home secretary needs to specify, to all those social media companies they must do something to close down on the visceral, violent language that some people use, attacking personally – as they did over her murder – which has shocked me, to make sure we get on top of that because that is the root of violence and death."
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged the work already done but said: "I'm sure we will have to go further." She also directly addressed repeated concerns expressed publicly by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage about his own security, offering him a meeting with the chair of the group that oversees MPs' security, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec). Farage publicly thanked her and said he would discuss the security of all Reform politicians.
Reform also let it be known that the party rejected an offer for a state-funded bodyguard and driver for Farage last year because it represented a 75% cut from what he really needed. A Reform spokesman said: "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 down…"