Zia Yusuf has announced a new policy plan to provide “round-the-clock security” for all MPs if Reform UK win the next general election.
The Reform Home Affairs spokesman made the pledge while addressing a press conference in the wake of Ann Widdecombe’s death.
He said: “I will ensure that all Members of Parliament of all parties are provided with round-the-clock protection.
“We will also allocate significant new resources to protect former politicians still active in public life.
“No matter how much I, Nigel, Richard or anyone else may disagree with your views, if you are an MP you must be able to air them without fear.
“An attack on one politician is an assault on democracy itself. Knowing Ann as I did, I know she would agree.”
Mr Yusuf’s speech began with a denouncement of the killings of previous MPS, which he described as “an assault on democracy itself”.
“Britain has been devastated by the news of another of our beloved politicians brutally murdered. After Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, now Ann Widdecombe has been savagely killed in her home.
Zia Yusuf has announced a new policy plan to provide ’round-the-clock security’ for all MPs if Reform UK win the next general election
| GB NEWS
“All three died without any protection. This is unacceptable for a country with a £1.2trillion annual budget,” he said.
“Elected representatives deserve to feel safe while they go about their jobs. Instead, the state cuts their security. This is shameful.
“It’s clear that the budget for MP security must be increased immediately. That’s exactly what we’re calling for today.”
Mr Yusuf said that MP security expediture should be raised to as much as £100million per year.
Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her Devon home last week | PA
The Reform home affairs spokesman explained that members of the Reform party were now “fearful for their lives and fearful for the lives of their families”.
He also detailed that Nigel Farage now lives in “mortal danger” amid myriad threats to his life.
“The leader of our party lives his life under the ever-present threat of mortal danger. He has received 1,577 threats since February this year including 597 death threats.”
Mr Yusuf also paid tribute to Ann Widdicombe in his speech, hailing her “40 years of her life to public service.”
Mr Yusuf said that security budget for MPs should be raised to as much as £100million per year
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He credited her work: “most recently as an MEP for the Brexit Party, and then as a spokesperson for Reform UK.
“She was a titan of British politics. Forthright, principled, and guided by her faith. She did not deserve to be killed in her home.“
Ann Widdicombe, 78, was found dead in her home in Devon last Thursday.
On Tuesday, counter-terrorism police said she had been killed in a “targeted attack”.
They also confirmed that a “line of investigation” had been opened into whether the suspect in the alleged murder was targeting Reform UK figures.
A 28-year-old white British man was then arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, with counter-terrorism police taking over the investigation on Monday.
