Mahmood Orders Urgent Review of Security for Politicians and Royals
The UK Justice Secretary has announced an urgent review of security arrangements for high-profile public figures, with police protection extended to party leaders who are not MPs, peers and former MPs.
Security arrangements for politicians, royals and other high-profile public figures are to be urgently reviewed, the Justice Secretary has said, as police support is expanded to cover political party leaders who do not sit in Parliament.
Shabana Mahmood said the review would examine the protection provided to those in public life, and confirmed that police support would be widened to include peers, former MPs and the leaders of political parties who are not currently members of the House of Commons.
The announcement follows concern about the safety of elected representatives and others in public office. The expanded arrangements are intended to close gaps in the existing system, which has largely been built around the protection of sitting MPs and members of the royal family.
Under the changes, party leaders who do not hold a seat in Parliament will receive police support. The same provision will apply to members of the House of Lords and to former MPs, groups that had not previously been covered by the standard protection framework.
The review is expected to assess the threat level faced by individuals in public life and to determine whether current measures remain adequate. It will consider how police resources are allocated and whether the criteria for protection need to be updated to reflect the changing nature of risks.
Mahmood's statement places the issue of public figure safety at the centre of government attention. The decision to extend protection to non-MP party leaders reflects a recognition that political leadership does not always come with a seat in the Commons, and that those outside Parliament can still face significant security risks.
The move also acknowledges the position of peers and former MPs, who may remain in the public eye after leaving the Commons or who may hold influential roles in the upper chamber. Their inclusion in the expanded arrangements signals a broader approach to safeguarding those who participate in national political life.
The review is to be conducted urgently, according to the Justice Secretary, indicating that the government views the matter as pressing. Further details on the scope of the review, its timeline and the specific measures to be introduced are expected to follow.
The announcement comes amid wider debate about the safety of politicians and public servants. While the review's findings are not yet known, the expansion of police support marks an immediate change in the protection offered to a wider group of individuals.
It remains unclear how many people will be affected by the extension or what additional resources will be required. The review is likely to address these questions as it assesses the current security landscape and the needs of those in public life.
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