Shabana Mahmood has sent a message to Nigel Farage as the Home Secretary prepares to update MPs on security measures for elected figures.

Ms Mahmood released her statement shortly after the man accused of murdering Ann Widdecombe was charged with plotting a terror attack against the Reform UK leader.


Joshua Kerry, 28, who is also on trial for the murder of ex-Tory minister Ann Widdecombe, was charged with one count of engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism.

After Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed the charge, Ms Mahmood said: “I know the new charges made today will be extremely concerning.

“My profound sympathies are with Nigel Farage and his family. Let no one make any mistake: an attack on anyone in politics is an attack on us all.

“This case raises serious questions about the security of those in public life.

“We must use this as an opportunity to reset. Once Parliament returns, I will update on our work to strengthen protections for those who choose to serve.”

The House of Commons will return after the conclusion of the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.

Despite Ms Mahmood offering Mr Farage a meeting with the chair of Ravec, the independent body within the Home Office that manages the security of those in public life, Labour was accused of cutting the Reform UK leader’s taxpayer-funded detail.

A Reform UK spokesman claimed the package offered by the Home Office was around 75 per cent of the protection he had already been offered.

Mr Farage spoke out about his protection fears following Ms Widdecombe’s death earlier this summer.

The Clacton MP revealed he had received 1,577 threats since February, including 597 death threats.

All eight Reform UK MPs now receive 24/7 security funded by the party’s donors.

Zia Yusuf, who serves as Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman, set out his plan to offer ยฃ100million “round-the-clock protection” if Mr Farage becomes Prime Minister.

Kerry, 28, was charged with Ms Widdecombe’s murder in July.

The ex-Tory minister was bludgeoned 21 times at her Dartmoor home on July 9, a court has been told.

Ms Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years and sat on the frontbench under Sir John Major.

She defected to the Brexit Party in 2019 and continued to represent Reform UK as one of the party’s spokeswomen.

Kerry was arrested at his home in Rotherham, some 300 miles away, on July 11.

Counter-terror police later reopened an investigation into an incident at Mr Farage’s London home in 2025.

Mr Farageโ€™s partner Laure Ferrari reported finding the front door of the Reform UK leader’s home damaged with a chisel or a crowbar and an empty can of lighter fuel in the porch.

Scotland Yard had allegedly been given CCTV footage of the suspect but failed to spot him.

Mr Farage was embroiled in a security row after the Clacton MP was given a ยฃ5million gift by the Thai-based cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne.

The Reform UK defended the gift by insisting the money was given to cover his personal security before he returned to frontline politics.

He added: “I am going to need security for the rest of my life.”

Mr Farage, who is now facing an investigation from the parliamentary standards commissioner, triggered a by-election over the issue and was returned as Clacton’s MP with an increased majority.



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