Nigel Farage security concerns backed by think tank boss as Ann Widdecombe death renews MP fears: 'There is a greater threat!'

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's fresh concerns for his safety have been backed by a leading think tank boss, declaring the fears of the party are "reasonable".

Speaking to GB News, Alan Mendoza of the Henry Jackson Society argued there is a "greater threat" to Reform and its MPs in light of the alleged murder of Ann Widdecombe.

Confirming her offer to meet with Mr Farage on Monday, Ms Mahmood told MPs: "I recognise the particular concern that the Reform Party will feel today, and of course Nigel Farage, the party’s leader.

"I’m happy to offer a meeting for Mr Farage with the chair of Ravec (Royal and VIP Executive Committee), the independent body within the Home Office that manages the security of those in public life."

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Mr Farage has accepted the offer and said he will "meet with the Chair of Ravec and discuss the security of all Reform politicians, including those who are not MPs".

Discussing the increased threat to the safety of all MPs, Mr Jackson told GB News: "I think the risk has significantly grown in recent years, and we've obviously seen, sadly, two MPs being murdered in fairly recent times.

"If you look at the volume of hostility out there and the anger that you're seeing in politics, whether it is on marches or on social media, there clearly is a risk that people are under increased threat to their lives."

Asked whether he believes there is a particular risk to those within Reform UK, Mr Mendoza argued they have received a "very big pasting" across the board politically.

He explained: "When people start saying, 'Nigel Farage is the devil, these are the people who are going to destroy Britain', that obviously creates a very different atmosphere to 'you're just a bad Government' or 'you've got the wrong ideas'.

"So when the invective is whipped up about a political party and when that political party has only got a very small number of MPs who therefore all become targets as a result, it is, I think, reasonable for Reform to say that there is a greater threat to Reform."

Mr Mendoza added: "And Nigel Farage in particular has lived with death threats for a very long time.

"We've seen action, he's been attacked for it as well. He, of course, has accepted the meeting that's now been offered with the Home Office, and he just wants his security taken seriously, as all of us would."

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Mr Mendoza called on the Government to ensure they "step in and make sure our legislators are protected".

He told GB News: "I think we have to look at this very carefully to understand at what point should we be analysing the physical threat aspect of it?

"You can say stupid things, you can say rude and offensive things even, but when it starts crossing into the idea that physical violence might be the outcome, I think then yes, there is a place for the authorities to say, right, there is something different happening here.

"We've seen MPs being killed because of this in the past. We should probably step in and make sure that our legislators are protected."

In October 2025, Reform UK claimed taxpayer-funded security for party leader Nigel Farage was reduced by 75 per cent by parliamentary officials, forcing Reform UK donors to step in to fund the remainder of his security.

Criticising the decision by the Government, Mr Jenrick told GB News it was a "dereliction of duty" in their failure to properly protect him.

He said: ""It should not have taken the murder of Ann Widdecombe for Nigel Farage to be provided with a meeting to discuss his own security and that of Reform and fellow members of Parliament.

"That is an appalling dereliction of duty by Home Secretaries that they have made this go on so long."

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