Andy Burnham makes security announcement after Ann Widdecombe ‘murder’ | Politics | News
Andy Burnham said there should be a “serious review” of MPs’ security and “I certainly am prepared to do that” following Ann Widdecombe’s killing. The incoming prime minister said politics has “darkened” in the last decade since he was last in Westminster and protections may need to be “increased further.”
Asked why he thought frontline politics had become so dangerous, the Makerfield MP told reporters in Parliament: “I notice quite a lot of change in the building behind me 10 years away, no more so than on the question of security. Actually, I was quite shocked to see how much security now has to be in place, and even so, it may need to be increased further. Politics has darkened in the last decade, there’s no getting away from that. It’s obviously appalling what happened to Ann. I knew Ann over many years in the House, and you know, we would get along – and everybody would get along.
“But it feels as though something has changed. It’s easy to blame social media, but it feels like it’s having some impact in just building that kind of toxicity that’s around the political debate.”
He said the issue could not be solved by “easy, glib answers,” adding: “I do think we need now a serious review of MPs’ security.
“I certainly am prepared to do that.”
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “very, very sorry and shocked” about the death of “dear colleague” Ann Widdecombe.
Speaking during a visit to the Nova Exhibition in Shoreditch on Tuesday afternoon, he told the Press Association: “I’m very very sorry and shocked about the murder or what seems to be the murder of Ann who was a dear colleague, I knew her for many, many years.
He said that she was an “extraordinary politician” and that the circumstances of her death were “appalling and unforgivable”.
“She was an extraordinary politician and a very, very hard act to follow, she left audiences absolutely wrung out with emotion,” Mr Johnson said.
Asked about the security of UK politicians, Mr Johnson said: “Look I heard what the Home Secretary had to say and that seemed sensible to me.”
And added that “we’ve got to let the police get on with it” and let the process run its course.
On Monday, the Home Secretary told MPs that security arrangements are being kept “under constant review” to ensure politicians can carry out their duties safely.
Shabana Mahmood said police would contact MPs in their constituencies to offer support and guidance, adding the Government must “always be vigilant to changing threats” following Widdecombe’s death.
She added: “Politics is a calling, for those of us here.But it should not be a dangerous one. And so it is incumbent on the House and the government to work together to protect those who choose to serve.”
