UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Conservative MP Sir David Davis urged the Home Secretary to review cuts to Nigel Farage’s security after Charlie Kirk’s murder, warning of copycat risks.
As reported by The Telegraph, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood faces calls to review security cuts for Reform UK leader Nigel Farage after the assassination of US activist Charlie Kirk.
What did Sir David Davis write in a letter to the Home Secretary about Nigel Farage’s security?
The former Brexit secretary has written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, urging her to review the decision “at the earliest opportunity.”
Sir David Davis raised concern,
“given the increase in violence directed towards modern politicians,”
Adding,
“In the aftermath of the murders of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, and more recently the assassination of Charlie Kirk, we should not overlook the danger of copycat attacks.”
He wrote,
“Accordingly, the risks to individuals in this category appear to be extremely high. It strikes me that Mr Farage is a particularly high-profile target, arguably at greater risk than many Cabinet ministers.”
The letter follows revelations that state support for Nigel Farage’s protection team has been cut by 75 per cent.
It also asked the Home Secretary to disclose the risk assessment behind the move to cut Mr Farage’s security, saying such intelligence would not be classified.
Being political opponents, Mr Davis is understood to be close to the Reform leader, having collaborated on the Brexit campaign.
What did Zia Yusuf say about Nigel Farage’s security cuts?
Reform UK confirms Nigel Farage’s taxpayer-funded security has been reduced, forcing party donors to step in.
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s head of policy, said the parliamentary security department has slashed Mr Farage’s protection by 75% over the past two weeks for “inexplicable reasons.”
He said,
“Two weeks ago, the authorities cut Nigel’s security detail by 75 per cent, and then we have seen the most extraordinary 48 hours of demonisation, and I’m going to say it again, incitement to violence against the man who is the bookmakers’ favourite to be the next prime minister.”
Mr Yusuf added,
“The claim I’m making is exactly what has happened, which is that it is the parliamentary security department that is responsible for security in both houses that, frankly for what I can tell, for inexplicable reasons, has decided to materially downgrade Nigel Farage’s security. Those are the facts of the matter.”
He claimed that authorities cut Mr Farage’s security by 75% around the time of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, with party donors stepping in to maintain his protection.
What did Zia Yusuf say about David Lammy’s Nigel Farage remarks?
The row follows Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy’s claim that Nigel Farage “flirted with Hitler Youth,” which Zia Yusuf said worsened his security situation.
Mr Lammy’s comments seemed to refer to 2013 allegations that Reform leader Nigel Farage sang Nazi songs as a teenager, which he denied at the time.
Referring to the remarks on Mr Farage, Sir David Davis posted on X,
“I am not a Reform supporter, but I am frankly disgusted by the attacks on Nigel Farage by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.”
How did the Home Office and House of Commons respond to Nigel Farage’s protection cuts claims?
A Home Office spokesman stated,
“Decisions on MP security are made independently of ministers.”
A House of Commons spokesperson said,
“The ability of members and their staff to perform their parliamentary duties safely, both on and off the estate, is fundamental to our democracy.”
They added,
“Any assessment of an individual MP’s security arrangements or advice is subject to a rigorous risk-based assessment, conducted by security professionals and with input from a range of professional authorities. Whilst these are naturally kept under continuous review, we do not comment on specific details so as not to compromise the safety of MPs, parliamentary staff or members of the public.”
Keir Starmer’s views on Nigel Farage and Reform UK
At the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described Reform policies as “racist,” while Shabana Mahmood accused Nigel Farage of sending a “very loud dog whistle” to racists.
In his keynote speech, the Labour leader called Reform and Mr Farage’s “politics of grievance” the greatest challenge facing the country.
He added the country must
“go into that battle armed, not just with words and condemnation, but with action.”
In response, Reform leader Nigel Farage warned that the comments could provoke violence from far-left groups, threatening the safety of officials and campaigners, calling it “an absolute disgrace” after the Charlie Kirk murder.
Who was Charlie Kirk, and how was he killed?
Charlie Kirk, co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, was a leading MAGA activist, podcast host, and ally of Donald Trump. He was murdered on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University during his “American Comeback Tour.”
Tyler Robinson, 22, is charged with the murder, allegedly firing a single shot from a rooftop about 130 meters away.
What did Donald Trump say about Charlie Kirk’s murder?
US President Donald Trump said,
“We miss him greatly, yet, I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on.”
Mr Trump stated,
“Radical left political violence has hurt too many innocent people and taken too many lives. Tonight, I ask all Americans to commit themselves to the American values for which Charlie Kirk lived and died.”
The president added,
“For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals. This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we’re seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.”