Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced an urgent review of security arrangements for high-profile public figures after the killing of Ann Widdecombe. In a statement, Mahmood said the government would expand police support to a wider set of individuals and undertake a rapid assessment of current protective measures.
Immediate expansion of protection
Mahmood said police support will be offered "with immediate effect" to a range of public figures who are not currently members of Parliament. The categories she named include former MPs, party leaders who are not MPs, peers, former members of devolved parliaments and party spokespeople.
The announcement also said the review will cover security arrangements for high-profile public figures more broadly, including politicians and members of the royal family. The intention, Mahmood said, is to ensure that protection policies reflect current risks and are applied consistently across groups at heightened risk because of their public profile.
Scope and next steps
The review is intended to be urgent, though Mahmood did not set out a timetable for its completion in her statement. She indicated the immediate expansion of police support would take effect while the review is carried out.
Officials said the process would involve close engagement with policing bodies to assess threat levels and practical arrangements for any additional protective measures. Further details on how offers of support will be assessed or resourced were not provided in the initial announcement.
Political context
The move follows the high-profile killing that prompted fresh concerns over the safety of public figures. Mahmood's decision to broaden the categories eligible for police support signals a government response aimed at addressing those concerns and clarifying which former and current public figures may receive protection going forward.