Security for all MPs

fancythat

Cossy

I’ve not seen another thread, I do think security for MPs warrants a thread of its own.

ALL serving MPs are already offered paid security via our government, at the same baseline level.

However some maybe offered further security based on criteria, Mr shingle explain this better than I can.

“ While every serving MP receives a baseline level of protection and support, specific allocations differ based on the following:Routine Security: Every MP is offered baseline measures and a dedicated, named police contact under the national Operation Bridger program. This includes security briefings, advice, and standardized physical upgrades to their homes and constituency offices.Enhanced Security: MPs facing higher or more specific threat levels receive elevated measures, which can include panic alarms, active patrols, and manned guarding at public events.Close Protection: Only a select few MPs (such as the Prime Minister, Home Secretary, and certain senior Cabinet members) are automatically granted permanent close protection (e.g., dedicated bodyguards, official cars, and drivers). An individual MP may have their security elevated to this level only if intelligence indicates an exceptional, severe risk.”

Thank you for that.

We can only hope that the MPs who need higher protection levels are granted it.

Sadly, I wouldnt have thought Ann Widdecombe would have been eligible for much.
Not sure how much she would have wanted anyway.

She was still on tv talking politics I believe, and probably still saying controversial things. But I too doubt if she would have wanted more security.

Graphite- an insightful post 14.03 with some rational inferences and legal interpretations- a good explanatory response to David49 I thought.

I am going to avoid speculation on the actual facts and evidence as I/we simply don't know the detail- and the investigators are still investigating. I await further reports and investigation findings with interest in this high profile case.

fancythat

I happened to start my musings on this subject, on another thread, a day or two before the murder of Ann Widdecombe.

On that particular thread, I also brought in the security concerns of Harry and Meghan.

I had happened to start reconsidering the whole issue.

I think it’s perfectly ok to muse and mull things over.

I can understand why anyone who faces threats on a daily basis starts to feel fear and anxiety.

My issue with Reform and Farage, and I may be entirely wrong, is that they appear to love notoriety and publicity above anything else (back in the day they called this “attention seeking”).

Unless the police and any current government have hard evidence of said threats and deeds, it’s extremely hard to distinguish between fact and fiction.

Addition public funds wouldn’t be agreed for any MPs security, unless there was substantial evidence to prove their lives were/are in more danger than their fellow MPs.

It’s not about whether one likes or dislikes Kemi, Ed, Zak or Farage, it’s about whether the evidence is there to back up their claims. It sounds harsh, but this is how life works.

I agree with Cossy, and state funded security should only be available for state funded MP role

What proportion of his time does Farage spend on public service MP role for Clacton and what proportion on all his other activities here in the UK and abroad?

GrannyGravy13

I think he has a point regarding his security.

I think the vitriol and comments on here towards NF are astonishing at times.

I wonder what comments and threats he receives on a daily basis from other sources.

Most MP’s face insults on a daily basis, it only takes one determined person to get close enough to them to physically attack or like Ann and two other MPs murder them.

Mmmm Is it vitriol or is it just factual?

I’ve heard lots of MPs being berated on here, not the least our outgoing PM.

Is it that Farage has more criticism thrown at him or is it because he seems to appear in the media himself more than all the other leaders put together and therefore is discussed more?

I don’t mean hounded by the media, I mean having a physical presence by choice.

Vitriol- what vitriol? In what way have comments to date in this thread regarding Farage and his stance regarding security astonishing ?

Who knows what daily comments and threats all MPs receive on a daily basis? MPs are required to report such threats to security services for their security and risk assessments to inform their level of security for their MP role. Hopefully Frage has been reporting accordingly?

If Farage has not been reported the daily comments and threats if indeed they are daily regarding his MP role to his security attachment- that would be somewhat remiss of him I would suggest in the politest and none vitriolic way.

It would be sensible to extrapolate which comments and threats Farage has received that relate to his MP role, which to his director role of Reform UK Ltd and which to his broadcasting and all his other financial high profile activities.

Unless he reports them his comments are merely speculative, none evidenced based assertions.

Shabana M has reached out to Farage and offered to meet and discuss- let's hope he takes up the opportunity and starts to engage in a mature, security conscious way and reports his MP threats as required.

It's impossible to support anyone unless they engage in due process. It's then unfair to blame the incumbent government when an individual has failed to engage in due process.

I just heard Ed Davey on the news saying exactly that LemonJam, he was implying that Farage was being economical with the truth in his account of the security available to party leaders, and one assumes he would know.

Casdon

I just heard Ed Davey on the news saying exactly that LemonJam, he was implying that Farage was being economical with the truth in his account of the security available to party leaders, and one assumes he would know.

In the news broadcast that I heard (BBC) they went on to say that Nigel `Farage was meeting with the Home Secretary to discuss security arrangements.

Definitely not, the clue is in the title. This was one of a series of threads, if there was a thread designed for condolences (which I realise there wasn’t), surely it would have been the one, started before this, entitled ‘Ann Widdecombe has died’, where people were expressing their shock at her sudden death and posting their immediate reaction.

Sorry, my post was in response to LemonJam.

GrannyGravy13

Casdon

I just heard Ed Davey on the news saying exactly that LemonJam, he was implying that Farage was being economical with the truth in his account of the security available to party leaders, and one assumes he would know.

In the news broadcast that I heard (BBC) they went on to say that Nigel `Farage was meeting with the Home Secretary to discuss security arrangements.

It was Radio 2 I heard, and yes, the newsreader did say that, which prompted the response from Ed Davey. I took it to mean that he didn’t believe Farage’s account of what was previously offered to him, and he hoped that Farage would give an honest account of this meeting. If I were Mahmoud, I’d issue my own statement about the outcome straight after the meeting.

LemonJam

I agree with Cossy, and state funded security should only be available for state funded MP role

What proportion of his time does Farage spend on public service MP role for Clacton and what proportion on all his other activities here in the UK and abroad?

Does he worry about security when he's in America supporting pro gun Trump?

Surely all party leaders should be meeting together with our Home Secretary? Wouldn’t that be more open and more inclusive.

I’m assuming Farage, rather than Mahmoud, instigated this meeting?

I ask again, what genuinely makes Farage truly believe he is any more at risk, or any more vulnerable, than any other MP?

Or I can put it another way, does Farage believe he is more important somehow?

Farage has openly admitted “incidents” have occurred that he’s failed to report to the police, and in the “car” and “mob” incidence his insurance company.

Why?

Btw, whatever some might think, I’d ask this question about any other MP or party leader.

Take Lowe, for example, I don’t believe he doesn’t get threats against him, he’s says some truly awful stuff.

I’ve also seen some pretty awful comments on here, which some could call “vitriolic” about other party leaders.

If Farage was so worried about security and unlike most of us knew that she lived alone in a remote place, why didn't he use some of his £5m to protect her?

I ask again, what genuinely makes Farage truly believe he is any more at risk, or any more vulnerable, than any other MP

You dont think he is more at risk than others?
I do.

Would it surprise anyone if, out of all MPs, something happened to him?

There would be all sorts of, "I didnt like him but he is perfectly entitled to say his points" from numerous posters, if something did happen.
Could that be said of many other MPs. Maybe it could? [I cant say I know what all of them say.]
Which sort of hints in itself, that he is on the vulnerable, at risk list if there is one.

As I have said upthread, all public figures and MPs should be subject to the laws on hate crime and inciting violence. Farage skates quite close to the edge with these and he is aware of that.

That is why he is worried.

He has single-mindedly sought publicity for his views in the knowledge that these could cause distress to some communities.

Cossy

Surely all party leaders should be meeting together with our Home Secretary? Wouldn’t that be more open and more inclusive.

I’m assuming Farage, rather than Mahmoud, instigated this meeting?

I ask again, what genuinely makes Farage truly believe he is any more at risk, or any more vulnerable, than any other MP?

Or I can put it another way, does Farage believe he is more important somehow?

Farage has openly admitted “incidents” have occurred that he’s failed to report to the police, and in the “car” and “mob” incidence his insurance company.

Why?

Btw, whatever some might think, I’d ask this question about any other MP or party leader.

Take Lowe, for example, I don’t believe he doesn’t get threats against him, he’s says some truly awful stuff.

I’ve also seen some pretty awful comments on here, which some could call “vitriolic” about other party leaders.

Mahmoud asked to meet Farage, according to what she said in H o P.

You dont think he is more at risk than others?
I do.

Why is that, fancythat?

I think that the people who loathe him, being woke lefties, are far less likely to do anything violent to him than some of his rightwing supporters would be to attack an MP they didn't care for.

Luckygirl3

As I have said upthread, all public figures and MPs should be subject to the laws on hate crime and inciting violence. Farage skates quite close to the edge with these and he is aware of that.

That is why he is worried.

He has single-mindedly sought publicity for his views in the knowledge that these could cause distress to some communities.

Would any other MP/Party use the term pure cold rage?

Indeed - telling the public to respond with pure cold rage is a prime example of Farage getting away with inciting violence.

MaizieD

^You dont think he is more at risk than others?^
I do.

Why is that, fancythat?

I think that the people who loathe him, being woke lefties, are far less likely to do anything violent to him than some of his rightwing supporters would be to attack an MP they didn't care for.

I actually think the bigger threat to him and other politicians is from those who are part of, or espouse, forces outside the UK. SupportingTrump, or Putin, for example, openly is a dangerous position to take at the moment.

MayBee70

If Farage was so worried about security and unlike most of us knew that she lived alone in a remote place, why didn't he use some of his £5m to protect her?

I really wanted to say this…..

I think that the people who loathe him, being woke lefties, are far less likely to do anything violent to him

Maybe not - but they’ll spend plenty of time on the internet posting hate filled comments, not just about NF, but about anyone who votes for him.
Crikey, I remember the whole Brexit referendum, what some remainers were posting about anyone who voted leave was just off the scale.
‘Harmless woke lefties’ who ‘just’ say stuff online are all part of the problem.

I think that the people who loathe him, being woke lefties, are far less likely to do anything violent to him than some of his rightwing supporters would be to attack an MP they didn't care for.

I read somewhere that the man from Rotherham had communist material.

Ann Widecombe broadly has the same thoughts and speaks like Farage??
Some could disagree with me on that. Not exactly sure how true that is, but Reform is in common if nothing else.

Starting to lose my own train of thought.
Are communists woke lefties?
Not sure. Again, broadly the same??

Putting all the above together, and what do we have.

Yes, quite a lot of jumps in thoughts there.
But some will get my drift.