𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Police are to issue urgent safety advice to every MP following the death of Ann Widdecombe. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said all MPs would be contacted by police to discuss how they can stay safe. This is in addition to a review commissioned by the Home Office following the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess, which is looking specifically at how to ensure MPs are not in danger in their constituencies.

Giving an update on the death of Ms Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister who later joined Reform, Ms Mahmood told a shocked House of Commons: “The Home Office and the police work closely with the Parliamentary security department to provide practical advice and support directly to MPs.”

She added: “We must always be vigilant to changing threats, and respond.

“Security measures are kept under constant review to ensure MPs can carry out their duties safely. And I know that the police intend to issue guidance to MPs soon, and they will be contacting Parliamentarians in their constituencies to offer support.”

Ms Mahmood told MPs a man in custody allegedly linked to the death of Ann Widdecombe “was not known” to the Prevent anti-extremism programme.

Making a statement in the House of Commons, the Home Secretary told MPs: “The police now have a suspect in custody, a 28-year-old white British man.

“And I can confirm to the House that this man was not known to Prevent.

“The police have cautioned against speculating about the case – that is the right thing to do for Ann’s family and friends.”

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle paid tribute to Ms Widdecombe, who he described as both “fierce” and “principled”.

Sir Lindsay told MPs: “I’d like to pay tribute to Ann Widdecombe who died in tragic, deeply troubling circumstances last week.

“Ann was a formidable politician, a prominent figure in public life.”

The Speaker later added: “Ann was fierce and enjoyed robust political debate.

“Whether you agreed with her or not, she was principled, spoke her mind and was true to her beliefs which were informed by her Christian faith.”