Jenrick criticises government for not offering Farage earlier security meeting

Reform’s Treasury spokesperson says talks on party leader’s protection only happening ‘as a result’ of Ann Widdecombe’s death Robert Jenrick has criticised the government for not offering Nigel Farage a security meeting earlier, saying it has only happened “as a result” of the death of Ann Widdecombe. The Reform UK Treasury spokesperson claimed ministers had chosen not to give Farage the security “that he needed”, and had only agreed to arrange a meeting with the chair of the royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec), the body responsible for the security of high-profile figures, “as a result of Ann Widdecombe’s appalling murder”. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday, Jenrick was challenged by Nick Robinson for attacking the media, the government and the House of Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, and questioned whether it suited Jenrick and Farage to “change the subject nationally” away from questions around Farage’s £5m gift and on to his security arrangements. Jenrick responded: “The government chose not to give Nigel the security that he needed. They now have, as a result of Ann Widdecombe’s appalling murder, offered him a meeting. “The home secretary could have of