UK party calls for ‘full security’ for MPs after murder
Britain’s populist Reform Party is calling for all MPs to be given “full security” if they want it, following the murder of Ann Widdecombe, a leading member of the party led by veteran Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage.
At a press conference, Reform’s home affairs policy chief, Zia Yusuf, accused other politicians and the media of fueling hostility towards the party, saying this had led to death threats against Farage and other MPs.
Remembering 78-year-old former Conservative minister Widdecombe, who was found murdered in his home on July 9, Yusuf said MPs needed better security measures.
An Englishman was arrested.
“If Reform wins the next general election… I will ensure that all MPs from all parties are provided with 24-hour protection,” Yusuf said on Wednesday. he said.
“We will also allocate significant new resources to protect former politicians who are still active in public life.”
Politicians in Britain are no strangers to public abuse, but in recent years many MPs have said the tone has become increasingly ugly and dangerous, with some changing their routines and behavior to avoid conflict.
In 2021, Conservative MP David Amess was stabbed to death in a church by a man inspired by the Islamic State.
Five years ago, Labor MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed by a Nazi-obsessed attacker during the Brexit campaign.
Yusuf said Farage, who is under pressure over the funds he receives from wealthy donors, has received nearly 600 death threats since February.
He said this was why Farage accepted donations to fund his own security detail; The reform leader used this argument, among others, to justify accepting a Stg5 million ($A9.6 million) donation from a billionaire cryptocurrency investor.
“Those who question Nigel Farage’s need for security must stop,” Yusuf said.
After Cox’s murder, security measures were increased and MPs were offered panic buttons and additional locks for their homes and offices.
Following Amess’s murder, the Conservative government and parliament offered MPs trained security protection when meeting with constituents.
