Politics & Governance13 Oct 2026 · about 6 min

Government expands police support to political figures who are not MPs

The brief

The government is extending police support beyond sitting MPs. Political figures who are not currently MPs will receive access to a named police officer and assistance with wider security measures. The aim is to address what Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called insufficient protection for people serving in public life. The support will cover peers, former MPs and party spokespeople. Mahmood did not set out every measure, but the named officer could provide a direct link to police advice and security planning. The announcement follows concerns about threats, abuse and violence against political figures. The policy comes alongside an urgent independent review of security arrangements. That review will examine physical threats, online risks and dangers within a more polarised society. It will report within six months, while existing arrangements for current MPs and Lords continue through Parliament's security team.

What new police support will political figures who are not currently MPs receive?

The support will cover peers, former MPs and party spokespeople. Mahmood did not set out every measure, but the named officer could provide a direct link to police advice and security planning. The announcement follows concerns about threats, abuse and violence against political figures.

The policy comes alongside an urgent independent review of security arrangements. That review will examine physical threats, online risks and dangers within a more polarised society. It will report within six months, while existing arrangements for current MPs and Lords continue through Parliament's security team.

Which political figures will be covered, and how many offences and death threats against MPs were recorded recently?

The expanded support is intended for political figures outside the current MP group. It will cover members of the House of Lords, former MPs and party spokespeople. These groups can remain prominent public figures even when they do not hold a Commons seat, so the announcement broadens the protection available to them.

The scale of reported offending helps explain the decision. Data released to the BBC recorded 976 alleged offences against MPs in 2025. The total included malicious communications, harassment and criminal damage to buildings. Across 2019 to 2025, MPs reported 4,064 crimes to the Met's Parliamentary Liaison Team.

Death threats also increased. Fifty were reported in 2025, compared with 31 the previous year. The figures do not describe every threat against the newly covered groups, but they show the wider security pressure facing political representatives and public figures.

What could happen as a result of extending security support to peers, former MPs and party spokespeople?

Extending support could give peers, former MPs and party spokespeople a clearer route to police advice. Access to a named officer may make it easier to report concerns and discuss security measures. It also recognises that public-facing political work continues beyond an elected Commons role.

The change follows the killing of Reform UK spokeswoman and former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead at home after being struck with a hammer. Joshua Kerry was charged with her murder and with preparing terror acts against Nigel Farage. The case has intensified attention on prominent political targets.

The government will also conduct a six-month independent review led by Stephen Lovegrove. It may shape future arrangements for physical and online risks. However, the Jo Cox Foundation warned that stronger physical protection must be accompanied by action on online harms and education.

Why has the safety of politicians become a prominent issue in the UK?

Safety has become a prominent issue because political representatives have been murdered while serving the public. Conservative MP Sir David Amess was killed in 2021, and Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered in 2016. Their deaths made the risks of public-facing political work impossible to ignore.

More recent cases have reinforced those concerns. Reform UK spokeswoman and former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe was found dead at home after being hit on the head with a hammer 21 times. A man was charged with her murder and with preparing acts of terror against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

Reported offences have also risen. There were 976 alleged offences against MPs in 2025, compared with 364 in 2019. Fifty death threats were reported in 2025, up from 31 the year before. Most reported offences involved malicious communications, harassment or criminal damage.

How are security decisions currently made for MPs, members of the House of Lords and other high-profile political figures?

Security decisions are split between different bodies. The House of Parliament's security team makes decisions for current MPs and members of the House of Lords. This covers politicians holding those parliamentary positions and reflects the existing protection structure.

High-profile political candidates are handled separately by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as Ravec. The article describes it as an independent committee. It deals with prominent political candidates rather than making the routine decisions for current MPs and Lords.

Ravec is staffed by officials from the Home Office, the Cabinet Office, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The new announcement adds support for non-MP political figures, including access to a named police officer. An urgent independent review led by Stephen Lovegrove will examine whether wider arrangements are adequate.

What other approaches, besides physical protection, could help reduce threats to politicians?

Physical protection is only one possible response to threats against politicians. The Jo Cox Foundation said security measures must be paired with action on root causes. It specifically highlighted online harms and education as ways to help prevent future attacks.

The article gives no detailed education programme or online policy. However, it records that most reported offences against MPs were malicious communications, followed by harassment and criminal damage. That pattern shows why responses may need to address communications and behaviour as well as buildings and personal safety.

The independent review led by Stephen Lovegrove will consider physical threats, online risks and dangers within a more polarised society. It will report within six months. Its findings could inform future action, alongside the new police support, but the article does not specify what recommendations it will make.

Why does protecting politicians matter for democracy and for people who want to participate in public life?

Protecting politicians matters because they serve the public and represent political choices in an open system. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said robust debate and criticism belong in political work, but threats, abuse and violence do not. Protection helps distinguish democratic disagreement from intimidation.

The article connects threats to elected representatives with threats to democracy. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp welcomed stronger measures on that basis. The government also said protection should reach those serving at all levels, not only current MPs. That includes peers, former MPs and party spokespeople.

The wider issue is participation. If public figures face serious violence or persistent threats, the article's evidence shows why security arrangements matter. Mahmood said protection is owed to everyone who believes in a fair and open country. The review and new support are intended to strengthen confidence in public service, while online harms and education also need attention.

This brief was written by AI from the original reporting and checked by other models. Names, figures and quotes come from the source; read it for full context.