See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 15:46 BST, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 16:19 BST, 14 July 2026
Robert Jenrick accused Labour of playing politics with Nigel Farage's safety today - but admitted the Reform leader turned down an offer of a taxpayer-funded security detail last year.Mr Jenrick lashed out amid a row over the protection afforded to Mr Farage in the wake of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.Ms Widdecombe, like Mr Jenrick a former Tory minister who jumped ship to line up with Mr Farage, was found dead at her home on July 9. Senior figures in Reform have complained about the level of security their party and leader have been offered. Last night Shabana Mahmood offered the Reform leader a meeting with the chairman of the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec), the body responsible for security of high-profile figures.But in the Commons the Home Secretary and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle insisted there was no political bias in the security offered to MPs, which is not controlled by ministers.Speaking to the BBC this morning, Treasury spokesman Mr Jenrick said: 'The home secretary could have offered that meeting a year ago, two years ago. She chose not to. That, I'm afraid, is playing politics with the safety of politicians, and I suspect that's because they don't like the views the Reform politicians take forward.'But in the same interview he admitted Mr Farage had turned down an offer of state-funded security equivalent to that given to Tory opposition leader Kemi Badenoch. The i Paper reported that Mr Farage was offered a bodyguard, car and trained driver last year, but turned that down because he considered that to be a downgrade on what he had previously received, which included two cars and drivers, plus police guards. Mr Jenrick lashed out amid a row over the protection afforded to Mr Farage in the wake of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. Ms Widdecombe, like Mr Jenrick a former Tory minister who jumped ship to line up with Mr Farage, was found dead at her home on July 9Mr Jenrick told Today: 'He initially was given a comprehensive plan, which I think was commensurate with the threat that he faced. I've been out and about with Nigel across the country, and I've seen the dangers that he faces every day.'And then that was downgraded.'I don't know why. Maybe that will be explained to Nigel when he meets the committee.'He added: 'I do think that politics comes into this because it seems like the Government, parts of the media, are very, very blase about the security of Reform.'A Home Office spokesman said: 'Robert Jenrick's comments are categorically untrue.'Neither the Home Secretary, nor ministers are involved in the provision of security for MPs.'Responsibility for the protective security measures of Members of Parliament lies with the Parliamentary Security Department.'Nigel Farage has been offered a meeting with the chair of Ravec – the independently chaired committee that manages the security of those in public life.'
