Nigel Farage had his security downgraded one year after becoming an MP, with the Reform UK leader turning down the protection because he deemed it “inadequate”.
The party’s candidate for the upcoming Clacton by-election was given eight taxpayer-funded bodyguards and the use of two cars when he was initally elected as an MP.
However, a year later, he was offered a smaller team by Parliament’s then head of security, Alison Giles.
The updated package was reportedly similar to the one used by the Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch, plus several senior Cabinet ministers.
However, Reform UK has claimed the number of bodyguards was reduced from eight to one, plus one driver, adding: “Two people would have put Nigel’s life in danger.”
Mr Farage turned down the offer, which came not long after the death of conservative activist and commentator Charlie Kirk, reportedly calling it a “downgraded and inadequate package”.
The party told MailOnline its wealthy donors had stepped in to ensure Mr Farage’s security was “shored up”.
A Reform spokesman said: “Reform took the responsible decision to maintain proper protection rather than gamble with his life.”
It comes as Reform is involved in an ongoing row over the security of politicians and public figures after the death of the party’s justice spokeswoman, Ann Widdecombe.
Sir Keir Starmer has said more must be done to “defend our democracy”, while his incoming successor, Andy Burnham, has also said a “serious review” is needed into MPs’ security.
However, Conservative leader Mrs Badenoch said she had received multiple death threats but that her party is “more concerned about national security than anything else”.
Asked if the security of politicians is a cross-party issue, she said: “All politicians get targeted. I myself have received multiple death threats. In fact, police have arrested someone just in the last few weeks about this. So it is an issue that is at the forefront of my mind.”
She continued: “I am worried that we are talking a lot about MPs’ security. The country is not there to provide us with security. We are here to provide the country security: national security, energy security, economic security.”
Mrs Badenoch pointed to past assassinations of Conservative MPs in IRA car bombings, and the Brighton bombing that targeted the Tory party conference in 1984.
She said: “MPs have often been targets. I remember Conservative MPs like Airey Neave and Ian Gow, you know, being killed by the IRA. We had our party conference bombed. Sir Anthony Berry was killed. Norman Tebbit’s wife was maimed. Many Conservatives had serious injuries.
“It is a fact of life that public life means that you are exposed to more threats. But I want people to know that Conservatives are more concerned about national security than anything else.”
Meanwhile, concerns about Mr Farage’s security have also been raised in the scandal surrounding the Reform UK leader’s £5 million gift from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne.
The murder of Ann Widdecombe also prompted the Home Secretary to invite Mr Farage to meet the authorities to discuss his protection.
But Mr Farage has also claimed there is an “establishment narrative” trying to demonise his party.
He said: “I do point the finger at political leaders, I do point the finger at much of mainstream media. They are building up a narrative of total hatred against us.”
