Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, joined other MPs in the House of Commons on Monday to pay tribute to former MP Ann Widdecombe, who was murdered over the weekend. The Commons session, led by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, focused on honoring Widdecombe's memory and addressing security concerns for politicians, while discouraging speculation about the suspect's motives.
MPs Urged to Avoid Speculation
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle opened the session by reminding MPs that speculation on the motives of the suspect, a 28-year-old white British man unknown to the Prevent program, could interfere with the ongoing police investigation. He urged members to restrict their remarks to memories of Widdecombe and the broader issue of politician safety. The police have asked everyone to refrain from politicizing the murder, a request most MPs have honored.
However, some Reform politicians faced criticism for their comments. Earlier on Monday, Richard Tice launched an attack on the Times, accusing its journalists of being "sick" for reporting that Nigel Farage had used Widdecombe's murder as propaganda. Tice claimed the newspaper wanted more Reform MPs to be killed. Meanwhile, Zia Yusuf, a Reform figure, posted on social media that the speaker and government had deliberately limited security for Reform MPs. When Hoyle denied this, Yusuf doubled down, calling the speaker a disgrace and alleging an establishment cover-up.
Tributes from Across the House
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood led the tributes, describing Widdecombe as a woman of forthright opinions and a deeply committed Catholic who believed in seizing every opportunity. She quoted Widdecombe: "You only get one go this side of eternity." Mahmood also confirmed that the suspect was not a known terrorist who had slipped through the net, as he was unknown to Prevent.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp offered a memory of meeting Widdecombe during his university days and praised the speaker for taking MPs' security worries seriously, indirectly rebutting Yusuf's allegations. Diane Abbott paid her respects and listed the abuse and death threats she has received over the years, noting she hasn't felt truly safe in a while. Liberal Democrat MP Max Wilkinson raised Yusuf's allegations, assuming they were nonsense, and Hoyle confirmed he treats every MP equally and forwards all security concerns to the Commons security team.
Tice's Tribute and Lingering Tensions
Richard Tice delivered the warmest tribute, calling Widdecombe a "colossus of public life" and an incredible orator. He had clearly read the room, avoiding his earlier allegations about a media war on Reform. However, he questioned whether police had been too quick to rule out a political motive for the murder, despite police stating they had found no evidence to support one.
Other MPs, including Suella Braverman, Lee Anderson, and Robert Jenrick, were more outspoken. Braverman criticized Sky News, the Mail on Sunday, and the Times for their "disgusting and deplorable" reporting. Anderson attacked MPs from other parties who described Reform as a party of "bigots and racists." Jenrick questioned whether the Home Office had deliberately refused Farage security because of his identity, but Mahmood assured him that security decisions are made independently.
A Brief Truce in Culture Wars
The tributes marked a brief truce in the ongoing culture wars sparked by Widdecombe's murder. Many MPs behaved with dignity, but tensions remain. As one observer noted, "It had been nice while it lasted. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow. Ann's death will become political whether you like it or not."
