Labour has been accused of playing politics with the life of Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage after ministers allegedly chose not to grant him security over political differences. Reform Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick claimed senior ministers made the decision not to provide security for Mr Farage because of political disagreements, and that the Government was only backtracking now because of the death of Ann Widdecombe last week.
Security meeting offered after Widdecombe murder
Mr Farage has now been offered a meeting with the security authorities responsible for protecting MPs. But a furious Mr Jenrick claimed that ministers should have acted much sooner, and accused the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, of a "dereliction of duty." He told the BBC's Today Program: "The point I'm making is that the Government chose not to give Nigel the security that he needed."
Mr Jenrick added: "They now have, as a result of Ann Widdecombe's appalling murder, offered him a meeting. The Home Secretary could have offered that meeting a year ago, two years ago – she chose not to. That, I'm afraid, is playing politics with the safety of politicians, and I suspect that's because they don't like the views the Reform politicians take forward, because we are not mainstream politicians. We are politicians who are fighting the establishment every single day, and we're not backing down."
Jenrick condemns Home Secretary's delay
He added: "It shouldn't have taken the death of Ann Widdecombe for Nigel Farage to be given a meeting with the relevant Home Office committee. That really is a dereliction of duty, and it's ultimately the Home Secretary who makes the decision." Miss Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Dartmoor last week. She had served as a Conservative Party MP and Minister, and later went on to join the Brexit Party where she won a seat as an MEP. She remained a member when the Brexit Party was renamed Reform UK.
A 28-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences. Over the weekend Mr Farage suggested the alleged murder appeared premeditated, and Reform sources accused the police of "gaslighting" the public over the suspect's motive. In a statement to MPs yesterday, Ms Mahmood said she was "happy to offer a meeting" for Mr Farage with the chairman of Ravec, the Home Office committee in charge of security for public figures. She also said she would be reviewing security guidance for former MPs.
