Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has ordered an urgent review of security arrangements for high-profile public figures following the killing of Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative MP.
Mahmood announced that police support will expand with immediate effect to protect individuals beyond sitting MPs. The new category of people eligible for police support now includes former MPs, party leaders who do not currently hold parliamentary seats, peers, former members of devolved parliaments and party spokespeople.
The review covers security for politicians and members of the royal family. Mahmood's statement indicates that existing arrangements were insufficient to protect figures like Widdecombe, who held high public profile but lacked current parliamentary seat protection.
The killing of Widdecombe, a prominent public figure and television personality after her time in Parliament, prompted the government to reassess how it allocates protective resources across the broader category of high-profile individuals at potential risk.