Man arrested over threatening to shoot Farage in social media post

A man has been arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot Reform England leader Nigel Farage in a social media post.

The arrest relates to a post on X that was reported to the police on May 8, one day after the local and mayoral elections.

A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of sending threatening messages to a Member of Parliament in south London on Tuesday this week, the Met Police said.

He was released on bail pending further investigation.

The arrest comes six days after Reform spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe was murdered at her home in Devon. Anti-terrorism police are continuing their investigation into the death.

The Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team informed Farage of the arrest on Wednesday.

Farage said: “This is the first time the police have proactively intervened on a social media post and I hope they are looking at three or four hundred other similar posts this year alone.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Reform England’s home affairs spokesman said the party would provide “24-hour protection” to all MPs if it was in government.

Zia Yusuf, who announced the proposed policy at a press conference, also said that Farage “lives his life under the ever-present threat of mortal danger” and that “those who question the need for security must stop.”