Reform UK criticises Commons speaker over MP security
Reform UK has triggered a political row by criticising Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle over the level of security provided to its MPs, following the murder of Ann Widdecombe. The party claims its parliamentarians are not given adequate protection, prompting a strong response from Hoyle's team.
Background to the controversy
The dispute emerged after the death of Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative MP and later Reform UK member, who was murdered in her constituency. Reform UK leaders argued that the incident highlighted systemic failures in protecting MPs, particularly those from smaller parties.
According to Pippa Crerar, speaking to Kiran Stacey on the Politics Weekly UK podcast, Hoyle's team has been pushing back against these claims. They insist that security allocations are based on risk assessments and are not politically motivated.
Details of the row
Reform UK's criticism centres on the perceived disparity in security between major party MPs and those from smaller parties. The party has called for an independent review of security provisions, arguing that all MPs face similar threats.
In response, Hoyle's office stated that security decisions are made by the Commons security team and police, not by the speaker. They emphasised that any MP can request a review of their security arrangements.
Impact and reaction
The row has reignited debates about MP safety, with cross-party calls for better protection. Some MPs have expressed sympathy with Reform UK's concerns, while others have accused the party of politicising a tragic event.
According to the podcast, Hoyle's team is frustrated by what they see as unfounded accusations. They point out that security measures have been significantly increased since the murder of Sir David Amess in 2021.
