MI5 urged MPs to build safe rooms at home just three months before Ann Widdecombe was killed in ‘targeted’ attack
It has been revealed that MI5 called on MPs to build safe rooms in the homes of Ann Widdecombe just three months before she was killed in a ‘targeted’ attack on her Dartmoor home.
As calls for greater security for politicians grow, security services have told vulnerable MPs to set up safe rooms in their homes in case of an attack.
It follows the grisly attack at Ann Widdecombe’s cottage in Haytor, Dartmoor, last Wednesday, July 8, which sent shockwaves across the country.
It was revealed that the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), an arm of MI5, informed ‘high risk individuals’ such as MPs, local councilors and foreign dissidents to establish a ‘safer area’ in their homes where they could shelter in case they were targeted by ‘hostile actors’.
The new guidance was published online just three months before the murder of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe.
It included advice such as placing the safe room inside a regular room or in a private area, equipping it with ‘fog machines’ and ‘bulletproof walls’ to delay intrusion, and keeping indoor lights on to make an empty house appear occupied.
The advice also said bushes around the property should be cut down to limit an attacker’s potential hiding places.
NPSA had been providing advice to people deemed high risk for months due to increasing threats to their safety. It defines high-risk individuals as those with a public profile who work on controversial issues or have information useful to hostile states.
Ann Widdecombe was murdered in her cottage at Haytor, Dartmoor, last Wednesday, 8 July.
Coroners were seen entering the suspect’s home last Sunday after 28-year-old Joshua Kerry was arrested on Saturday.
Ms Widdecombe’s address was public years before her tragic death and although she had CCTV cameras installed, she refused to take further security measures. The Times reported.
The Reform MP has been an outspoken voice on controversial issues such as abortion, gay rights and immigration throughout his career.
Detectives believe the former Conservative minister was murdered at around 12.30pm on Wednesday, July 8.
The politician was found dead by his gardener at his country home in Haytor, Dartmoor, at around 11.40am on Thursday after suffering serious injuries.
Although police initially said the killing was not politically motivated, specialist officers from the Counter Terrorism Police took over the investigation on Monday.
Shabana Mahmood, who made a statement about the case in the House of Commons, said the man was not referred to the counter-extremism program Prevent.
“I can confirm to the House that this man is not known as Prevent,” he told MPs.
‘Police warned against speculating about the case; ‘This is the right thing to do for Ann’s family and friends.’
Gifts of flowers, including a framed photograph of Ms Widdecombe, were left on the lawn outside the former Conservative Justice Secretary’s home.
Footage shows a group of armed officers descending on the suspect’s property in Rotherham
On Saturday, July 11, police raided a town hall in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, where they arrested Joshua Kerry, 28, on suspicion of the murder of the 78-year-old veteran politician.
On the day of Ms Widdecombe’s death, the suspect was filmed climbing into a red hatchback and allegedly driving approximately 267 miles – a journey of around five hours – to his remote property.
Opening Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir told MPs: ‘In my 11 years in this Parliament, the murder of three sitting or former MPs is chilling.
‘I look at the shield of our dear friend Jo Cox and the shield of Sir David Amess sitting behind me.
‘I know this is a matter for the House, so this is my personal opinion, but I believe it would be appropriate for the House to pay a similar tribute to Ann.’
Sir Keir later added: ‘I believe we need to do more to defend our democracy.’
Ms Widdecombe’s death sparked an outpouring of sadness, with tributes paid to the former Conservative minister.
On Monday, Jeremy Vine broke down live on television over the alleged murder of his close friend and regular guest.
The broadcaster wiped away tears as he revealed a member of his team had ‘incidentally’ contacted the former Tory minister on the day he died.
Ms Widdecombe appeared on Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine Show more than 50 times and was also a regular on the BBC Radio 2 programme.
