Reform UK faces backlash from Commons Speaker over claim of 'inadequate' security amid anger at Nigel Farage 'exploiting' Ann Widdecombe 'murder'

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 11:37, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 11:43, 13 July 2026 Reform UK is facing a backlash from the Speaker of the House of Commons over claims the party's MPs receive inadequate security. Leading figures in Nigel Farage's party have spoken out in the wake of the suspected murder of Ann Widdecombe to complain about the level of security given to them. Ms Widdecombe, the former Tory minister and later a Reform spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday. A 28-year-old white British man was arrested at an address in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday evening. Police have said they are not looking for any other suspects and there is nothing to suggest it was a terrorism-related incident or politically motivated. The death of Ms Widdecombe, 78, has revived fears about the safety of Britain's politicians, with Reform figures claiming their MPs receive 'no protection whatsoever'. But Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, and Parliament officials are said to be furious about the claims they do not 'care at all' about the safety of Reform MPs. Meanwhile, Mr Farage has been accused of exploiting the murder of Ms Widdecombe for 'political propaganda'. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is pictured laying flowers at Dartmoor National Park near the home of Ann Widdecombe Ms Widdecombe, the former Tory minister and later a Reform spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday. Reform is said to be paying for round-the-clock security for their MPs and Zia Yusuf, the party's home affairs spokesman, in the wake of Ms Widdecombe's murder due to fears of a potential copycat attack.  The party has also accused the police, the Government and Parliament officials of ignoring their recent pleas for help. Richard Tice, the MP for Boston and Skegness and Reform's deputy leader, said: 'It's as though someone in the establishment wants us dead. We're treated differently because of our views.' Mr Yusuf said: 'The state is providing no protection whatsoever. In fact, based on what I have seen in the last 48 hours, none of the Government, the Speaker nor the police care at all about the security of Reform MPs. 'Several of our MPs have written to the above in recent months about distressing, escalating security concerns, asking for help. Their correspondence was not even replied to.' But a Commons spokesman stressed that 'all MPs are offered appropriate security measures'. 'The ability of members and their staff to perform their parliamentary duties safely, both on and off the estate, is fundamental to our democracy,' they said. 'Any assessment of an individual MP's security arrangements or advice is subject to a rigorous risk-based assessment, conducted by security professionals and with input from the police and a range of professional authorities. 'These are naturally kept under continuous review. 'All MPs are offered appropriate security measures but we do not comment on specific cases or details of those measures so as not to compromise the safety of MPs, parliamentary staff or members of the public.' Sir Lindsay has previously said that MPs' safety 'keeps me awake at night', while he recently held a conference to consider the threats against politicians and make recommendations on how to respond. It is understood Mr Farage, who recently quit as MP for Clacton in order to force a by-election, was given the same level of security arrangements as Labour's Angela Rayner when she was deputy prime minister. A spokeswoman for Sir Lindsay did not comment.  A Home Office spokesperson said: 'The Home Office has expanded police support for MPs away from the Parliamentary estate, including by funding a full-time network of police officers to support MPs, locally elected representatives and candidates across the UK.'  Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, and Parliament officials are said to be furious about the claims they do not 'care at all' about the safety of Reform MPs Mr Farage has been criticised for remarks he made to the press in Devon after paying tribute to Ms Widdecombe on Saturday. He told reporters he believed the attack on her was 'premeditated murder' and said a car had appeared on her drive at around 12.25pm on Wednesday. 'I don't think it pays at this moment in time to speculate,' Mr Farage also said. Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor was among those who criticised Mr Farage, telling The Times: 'The police have expressly asked the public not to speculate about the motive. 'It is therefore deeply disappointing that Nigel Farage has chosen to do precisely that.' A highly placed source told the Mail on Sunday that Ms Widdecombe's family 'don't want her death hijacked for political purposes', adding that they 'are very uneasy' about Mr Farage being at the scene.  The Guardian quoted an unnamed Labour minister who said: 'We all want the police to have the space to do their job. MPs gobbing off rarely helps the police during an investigation.' David Gauke, the former Conservative justice secretary, told the newspaper that people in public life 'should know better than to speculate publicly'. Matt Longman, Assistant Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, on Sunday urged against speculation. He said: 'We are aware of online and public speculation, particularly with regards to motive. 'Again, I urge people not to share or engage with that speculation – it's unhelpful, it doesn't aid our investigation, and particularly, it's distressing to the family and friends of Ms Widdecombe.' Responding to Mr Proctor's criticisms, Mr Farage told The Times: 'Harvey was very close to Ann, I know he is upset, but I was really careful not to be political. 'I was very clear in what I said. I said I would not speculate as to whether it was someone with a grudge, someone with mental health problems or someone with political problems. 'I also said very clearly that I didn't believe for one moment that it was a burglary that went wrong and I am 100 per cent certain I am right on that.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.