Boris Johnson: Ramping up the security for MPs would be 'expensive and pointless'

By DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 01:18, 20 July 2026 | Updated: 01:18, 20 July 2026 Boris Johnson has challenged claims that MPs need their security ramping up in the wake of the murder of ex-minister Ann Widdecombe.  The former Tory PM said the move, championed by Reform UK since Ms Widdecombe was found dead at her Dartmoor home earlier this month, would be 'expensive and pointless'. Mr Johnson told Sky News it would be better to work towards reducing the public anger directed at politicians. He also praised Chancellor Rachel Reeves for challenging a heckler earlier this year. The death of Ms Widdecombe has reignited the debate over the security of politicians, with her Reform allies – including party leader Nigel Farage – demanding new taxpayer-funded guards. Two serving MPs, Labour's Jo Cox and the Conservative Sir David Amess, have been murdered in the course of their work in the past ten years, and the issue of threats aimed at politicians has also grown. It was revealed on Sunday that MI5 has suggested vulnerable, high-profile figures such as politicians should consider creating a safe room in their homes to shelter from attackers. Guidance issued by the security service's National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) proposes they consider creating a secure area to evade a 'potentially violent threat' when it is not possible to flee. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Sky News that ramping up MPs' security would be 'probably expensive and pointless' Ann Widdecombe's murder earlier this month has stoked debate on MPs' protection Mr Johnson was asked on Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips whether people are being put off standing for public office due to the danger. He replied: 'I think people are more verbally aggressive with each other than [before]. I feel it's got a bit coarser, a bit rougher. That might put people off and they might not want their kids shouted at, that sort of thing. 'What I think about all this is that actually it's probably expensive and pointless to try to raise everybody's level of security. 'But what we could do is dial down the general level of invective.' He went on to suggest MPs should 'take it in your stride and fire back', citing the example of Ms Reeves. 'I think she's been an appalling Chancellor. But I thought Rachel Reeves was very good at that petrol station when she stood up to someone,' he said. Chancellor Rachel Reeves was heckled during a photo shoot to promote the fuel duty announcement at a forecourt in Leeds  The Chancellor was heckled during a TV interview about fuel duty in May by a van driver who shouted that the Government was 'ruining the country'. His vehicle had two St George's flags on the roof and he said: 'We've got English flags on here, Rachel, am I going to get arrested?' But she hit back, saying: 'I love our country, and one of the things about our country is good manners. Not very British.' A 28-year-old suspect from Rotherham was still being held in police custody over Ms Widdecombe's murder last night.