Ann Widdecombe: politicians face 'horrific' culture of violence, Cabinet minister says
Ann Widdecombe became the third high-profile politician to be killed in the last 10 years - after Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox and Southend and Basildon MP Sir David Amess.
Politicians face a “horrific” culture of violence which has become worse in recent years, a Cabinet minister has warned, as it emerged that police were exploring whether the attack on Ann Widdecombe could have been motivated by political ideology.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby said it was a “sad and troubling” reality that the threats facing MPs and others in public life had increased.
The alleged murder of the former Tory minister and Reform UK spokeswoman has heightened concerns at Westminster about the security risks facing current and former MPs.
Ms Widdecombe became the third high-profile politician to be killed in the last 10 years - after Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox and Southend and Basildon MP Sir David Amess.
Ms Rigby told BBC Breakfast: “There is just this increasing climate of abuse and intimidation, including via social media, and in the very worst cases extreme violence.
“I certainly wish that we didn’t live in a country where this was a fact of life.
“We need Members of Parliament, but everyone involved in public life, to be able to go about their work freely. This is key to living in a democracy.”
She said MPs were offered increased security: “I think it’s really troubling – more than troubling, it’s pretty horrific, really – this increased culture of violence that affects those in public life.
“I know plenty of people of both genders, although they tend to be more women, who have thought to themselves – thought very hard – about standing for Parliament, or even standing to be a councillor for their local authority, because of threats of violence, violent threats involving people’s families.
“It’s horrific that we have to deal with this, but we do.”
Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into Miss Widdecombe’s death.
She was found dead at her home in Haytor, on Dartmoor in Devon, on Thursday.
A 28-year-old white British man who was arrested on suspicion of her murder in Rotherham on Saturday has since been rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Police continue to question him and could hold him for up to 14 days under terrorism legislation if needed.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the House of Commons on Monday the suspect was not known to the Government anti-extremism scheme Prevent.
Senior figures in Reform have complained about the level of security their party and its leader Nigel Farage have been offered.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has offered the Reform leader a meeting with the chairman of the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), the body responsible for security of high-profile figures.
But Reform’s Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick claimed Mr Farage’s state-funded security had been downgraded.
Mr Jenrick told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “It shouldn’t have taken the death of Ann Widdecombe for Nigel Farage to be given a meeting with the relevant Home Office committee.”
The i Paper reported that Mr Farage was offered a security package similar to the level offered to Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch including a bodyguard, car and trained driver last year.
But he turned that down because he considered that to be a downgrade on what he had previously received.
Mr Jenrick told Today: “He initially was given a comprehensive plan, which I think was commensurate with the threat that he faced. I’ve been out and about with Nigel across the country, and I’ve seen the dangers that he faces every day.
“And then that was downgraded. I don’t know why. Maybe that will be explained to Nigel when he meets the committee.”