Sir Keir Starmer stated "we must do more to defend our democracy" following the murder of Ann Widdecombe, as he addressed MP security at his final Prime Minister's Questions. The outgoing Prime Minister described it as "chilling" that three sitting or former MPs had been killed during his 11 years in Parliament.
Government tasked with security review
Sir Keir's remarks came as Reform UK called for additional funding for MPs' security after Miss Widdecombe's death. The former Tory minister held a prominent position within Reform at the time. The Prime Minister said: "I believe we must do more to defend our democracy. I have tasked officials across government to identify the best mechanisms for taking this work forward, so it can move as quickly as possible. And I hope the whole House can unite behind that in the months ahead."
Tributes from political leaders
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch began PMQs by paying tribute to Ann Widdecombe, who was killed last week. She thanked Sir Keir for his response on Friday. Badenoch said: "She was a woman of high principle, profound beliefs with a wicked sense of humour. A wonderful combination of being a serious person who did not take herself too seriously. She changed her faith from Anglican to Catholic, and from the Conservative Party to the Brexit Party, but she always remained part of the Conservative family. You may not always have agreed with her, but Ann Widdecombe was a woman who said what she meant, and meant what she said. Hers was an honesty that made our politics better. Her wit and forthrightness sat alongside a deep humanity and decency."
Starmer's cross-party condolences
Sir Keir replied: "I know that the hurt is keenly felt across all her friends and family, but it is particularly keenly felt by political colleagues in the Conservative Party for many years, and in Reform as well - that's why one of the first things I did Friday was to phone the leader of the opposition, and leader and deputy leader of Reform to express my condolences and try to act in a cross-party manner, because I knew how much this would hurt them and their parties, and many people in their party."
