Starmer told me Ann Widdecombe's death was a 'burglary that's gone wrong', claims Farage amid row over politicians' security

By DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 11:30, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 11:47, 15 July 2026 Nigel Farage today claimed that he was initially told by Keir Starmer that Ann Widdecombe died during a 'burglary gone wrong'. The Reform UK leader said he was also told the same by the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police James Vaughan in the aftermath of her body being discovered last week. On Monday it was revealed that counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation into her death at her Dartmoor bungalow, and have arrested a 28-year-old man.  Mr Farage and other Reform figures have used the killing to put the spotlight on the threat to their safety. This morning home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf called for the budget for MPs' safety to be increased to £100m, with a bodyguard for every one of them.  Speaking to Talk TV today, Mr Farage said: 'I spoke to the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police three times. I spoke to the prime minister as well and those calls took place over Friday and Saturday and they both told me it's a burglary that's gone wrong. 'I said, no, it is not. A burglar does not park his car on your drive and walk into the house.  A burglar parks in a lay-by down the road or has a getaway driver.  'And I went to Dartmoor on Saturday and I said, I have no doubt this is a premeditated murder. I received tons of abuse for saying it but sadly it's proved that I'm right. It was obvious.' Nigel Farage today claimed that he was initially told by Keir Starmer that Ann Widdecombe died during a 'burglary gone wrong'. The Reform UK leader said he was also told the same by the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police James Vaughan in the aftermath of her body being discovered last week The 78-year-old former MP and MEP was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday.  The force later said she was found dead inside the property and had sustained 'serious injuries'. Police added that they believed the ex-Tory prison minister was attacked on Wednesday at about 12.30pm, nearly 24 hours before she was found. On Friday, Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said the case is 'not being treated as terrorism' and there was 'no information' at this time to suggest it was a 'politically-motivated crime'. But on Monday, cops U-turned to say the former MP's death is being treated as an act of terrorism and that new information and evidence had come to light during the investigation. Counter-terrorism police said Ms Widdecombe was killed in a 'targeted attack' as they gave a briefing to reporters yesterday. Mr Farage has said he plans to meet the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, the body responsible for the security of high-profile figures, on Thursday following an offer from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. 'I will be in London tomorrow to meet the Home Office committee that deal with VIP and royal protection and really helping them to understand what the threats are,' he told TalkTV. Mr Farage was offered a security package similar to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch last year, including a bodyguard, car and trained driver, but he turned it down because he deemed it a downgrade. He said: 'What happened was I was provided with… much bigger security than Kemi Badenoch. Do you know why? Because I go out around the country and walk down high streets. I go and mix in public events. I'm surrounded by hundreds of people. 'I can't do that with a driver and one officer. I have to have people that go ahead, scout out the environment. I need more people because of my constant interaction with huge numbers of the public. 'What happened last year was they cut that by 75 per to the level that I simply could not have continued to operate the way that I was. That really is part of the thinking behind the big gift that I got from Christopher Harborne.' Mr Farage, whose resignation as Clacton MP paused an investigation by Parliament's standards commissioner over the £5 million gift he received from crypto-billionaire and Reform donor Mr Harborne. He has faced criticism for speculating about the motive for the suspected murder of Miss Widdecombe. Mr Farage has also claimed there is an 'establishment narrative' trying to demonise his party. 'I do point the finger at political leaders, I do point the finger at much of mainstream media. They are building up a narrative of total hatred against us,' he said. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.