The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has ordered an urgent independent review of the protective security the state provides to people in public life following the killing of Ann Widdecombe.
Mahmood told the Commons that, whatever the outcome of the investigation into an attempted break-in at Nigel Farage’s home, it is “clear there is insufficient protection for those who serve”.
Police support is being extended “with immediate effect” to political figures who are not currently MPs — among them former MPs, peers and party spokespeople — who will be given access to a named police officer as well as help with wider security measures.
The review will be led by Sir Stephen Lovegrove, a former UK national security adviser, who will assess whether existing arrangements deliver adequate protection to those most at risk.
Those in scope include members of the royal family, government ministers, MPs, locally elected representatives and other prominent figures in British politics. Individual cases will not be assessed.
Lovegrove will examine how security is currently provided, whether funding and other measures are used effectively and proportionately, and how decisions can be made more consistently in response to threat and risk.
Mahmood said: “I can therefore announce today that I will expand, with immediate effect, police support to political figures who are not currently members of parliament. This will include former members of parliament, peers and party spokespeople, giving them access to a named police officer, as well as help with wider security measures.
“Today I also announce an independent root-and-branch review of the protective security provided by the state to those in public life. We can defeat those who mean us harm, but we are strongest when we act together.
“In a more dangerous world, we are faced by threats from without and within that target our democracy and our way of life. In response, we are adapting and strengthening our defences.
“As ever, I commend the work of the police and our security services, who labour in silence to keep us safe. And I’m sure the whole house joins me in offering thanks to them for that vital life-saving work.”
Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on 9 July, having sustained serious injuries.
Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with her murder. He is also accused of “online reconnaissance” of prominent people and institutions, and of travelling to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s home in south London on 19 April 2025 and trying to break into it, 15 months before Widdecombe was killed.
A separate review into the murder of Sir David Amess MP is being carried out by Robert Buckland, and will consider the security of MPs in their constituencies.
The Electoral Commission found that 55% of all candidates experienced some form of harassment and intimidation in May’s local elections, as did the same proportion of candidates at the 2024 general election.
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