Nigel Farage granted talks with elite government security team following the 'murder' of Ann Widdecombe

By JASON GROVES, POLITICAL EDITOR and CLAIRE ELLICOTT Published: 21:18, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 21:20, 13 July 2026 Nigel Farage is to hold emergency talks with the head of the Home Office's elite security team amid growing concern about threats to prominent Reform politicians. The Reform UK leader has accepted an offer from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to meet with the chairman of the body which organises security for the Royal Family and senior ministers. Ms Mahmood acknowledged that Mr Farage and other Reform MPs would have 'particular concerns' following the brutal killing of the party's justice spokesman Ann Widdecombe last week. Reform's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf hit out angrily at the weekend, saying that neither the government, the parliamentary authorities or the police 'care at all about the security of Reform MPs'. Mr Yusuf accused Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle of acting like a 'bully', adding: 'He is a disgrace to his office.' Some prominent Labour figures also appeared to have little sympathy with Reform. Natalie Fleet, minister for safeguarding and violence against women, posted a message on social media, saying 'Nigel Farage and his gang of bin men get the same security as the rest of us. Sick of his faux outrage.' The message was later deleted. But Ms Mahmood struck a more conciliatory tone on Monday, telling MPs: 'I recognise the particular concern that the Reform party will feel today and of course the party's leader, Nigel Farage.' Sombre: Nigel Farage laid a wreath in Devon in memory of Ann Widdecombe Ann Widdecombe served as Reform's justice spokesman after defecting from the Tories Mr Farage, who has complained for months that the state is failing to protect him, welcomed the offer from Ms Mahmood. He said he would hold talks with the head of Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) to 'discuss the security of all Reform politicians, including those who are not MPs'. In the Commons, Sir Lindsay insisted that Reform's security concerns were treated fairly. He told MPs: 'Every member of Parliament is equal in their security to me – there is no difference between any member, I want to reassure you. 'When things are brought to my attention – because we don't discuss security, I don't put out there what is happening, what has been done – but I reassure everybody that when it is mentioned to me, it is passed on to the security people to deal with. 'Unfortunately, I'm sorry that people don't think I do that.' Reform's Treasury spokesman said the authorities had been 'unwise' to downgrade Mr Farage's security, adding: 'Many will conclude, perhaps unfairly, that it was only because of his political views.' Reports on Monday claimed that Mr Farage had been offered police protection but had turned it down after deeming it inadequate. Several MPs urged Ms Mahmood to clamp down on online abuse. Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell – tipped to be the next deputy prime minister – said social media had worsened political debate that was already 'highly politicised, highly polarised and highly personalised, which is bringing more and more threats on to all of us'. Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith urged ministers to order the tech giants 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'. Ms Mahmood said ministers were already working on the issue but said 'I'm sure we will have to go further'. Reform MP Lee Anderson urged political opponents to tone down their attacks on his party, noting that fellow MPs had described them as 'racists, Nazis and bigots'. The row came as it emerged Labour's bid to cap political donations will put the security of Reform UK politicians at risk, the party claimed. Analysis shows that Mr Farage's party would lose 85per cent of its funding under the proposed cap, raising £4.1m instead of £26.7m. Labour MPs have suggested limits of £100,000 or £1million in amendments to the Government's flagship elections bill, which has now been delayed until September. But Reform has argued that any cap would leave it without enough money to provide security for its politicians. A Reform source claimed: 'If Labour MPs pass these amendments, it will ensure that Reform MPs are left without security, as none is currently provided by the state and is paid for by the party – which is funded by donors. 'Labour MPs will be voting to put the lives of Reform politicians in danger, after the murder of a Reform politician.' It comes after questions about Reform's funding after Mr Farage received £5million from crypto-currency billionaire Christopher Harborne and money from convicted criminal George Cottrell. Changes to the cap were supposed to be introduced under the Representation of the People Bill which had been expected to return to the Commons this week. However, it has now been delayed until September, meaning the new prime minister would have the chance to rewrite it. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.