{"id":204642,"date":"2026-07-17T20:58:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T20:58:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tahrir2day.com\/news\/2026\/07\/17\/greens-leader-renews-call-for-extra-security-after-ann-widdecombe-death\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T20:58:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T20:58:33","slug":"greens-leader-renews-call-for-extra-security-after-ann-widdecombe-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tahrir2day.com\/news\/2026\/07\/17\/greens-leader-renews-call-for-extra-security-after-ann-widdecombe-death\/","title":{"rendered":"Greens leader renews call for extra security after Ann Widdecombe death"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for the government to provide him with extra security, warning “I am worried about it both for myself and for all party leaders”.<\/b><\/p>\n

The politician said he “hadn’t been offered anything at all” after being asked for his thoughts following Ann Widdecombe’s death.<\/p>\n

“I am worried and I have been worried for a long time. I would encourage the government to provide me with extra security, but that is a choice for them,” he told BBC Breakfast.<\/p>\n

Widdecombe, 78, was found dead in her home in Haytor, Devon, last Thursday. A man, 28, has been arrested on suspicion of her murder and terror offences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Polanski said there were two policing provisions, Operation Ford and Operation Bridger, which provided security and safety support for councillors and MPs, respectively.<\/p>\n

“I am in the unusual situation as a London Assembly member and leader of a party where I haven’t fallen under either,” he added.<\/p>\n

“The Home Office since the local elections have reviewed that and now I fall under Operation Ford. I welcome the movement on that and that’s provided me with some extra safety and some extra steps.”<\/p>\n

It is also understood the Green Party does pay for some private security for its leader.<\/p>\n

He has previously spoken about “heightened intrusion and safety risk” as well as “antisemitic and homophobic abuse” since becoming leader – with two arrests being carried out by police.<\/p>\n

A Home Office spokesperson said: “No politician should be facing the threat of violence, abuse, or harassment \u2013 they must be able to go about their vital work safely and freely.<\/p>\n

“The government keeps security provisions for elected representatives under regular review.” <\/p>\n

Representatives are encouraged “to liaise with their local police force if they have concerns about their safety”, the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

The Green Party have been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n

Polanski’s remarks come amid a growing chorus of voices over whether politicians are being provided with enough security.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday Andy Burnham said a serious review of MPs’ security was needed after politics had “darkened” over the past decade.<\/p>\n

“It’s easy to blame social media, but it feels like it’s having some impact in just building that kind of toxicity that’s around the political debate,” he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

It followed a row between Reform UK and the government about the level of security provided to its leader Nigel Farage.<\/p>\n

Reform UK’s Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick had made accusations of a “dereliction of duty”.<\/p>\n

He claimed Farage had not been given the security he needed, after it emerged Reform turned down a government-funded security offer last year.<\/p>\n

The Home Office said Jenrick’s comments were “categorically untrue” and that ministers were not responsible for deciding MPs’ security.<\/p>\n

Politicians’ safety had already become a big concern after the murders of Conservative MP Sir David Amess in 2021 and Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.<\/p>\n

In May 2024 the Conservative government announced a \u00a331m package to increase security.<\/p>\n

The two police initiatives mentioned by Polanski are national drives to “strengthen the safety and security” of people in prominent roles.<\/p>\n

Former head of counter-terrorism policing Neil Basu warned on Tuesday a high level of protection to all 650 MPs would need “thousands” of new police officers to be recruited.<\/p>\n

Widdecombe was found dead in her home last Thursday after police believe she was attacked there a day earlier.<\/p>\n

A white British man, 28, arrested on Saturday in South Yorkshire, is being held on suspicion of murder and on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for the government to provide him with extra security, warning “I am worried about it both for myself and for all party leaders”. 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