Man arrested over threatening to shoot Farage in social media post

A man has been arrested over an alleged threat to shoot Reform UK leader Nigel Farage made in a social media post.

The arrest relates to a post made on X which was reported to police on 8 May, a day after the local and mayoral elections.

The Met Police said a man in his 20s was arrested in south London on Tuesday this week on suspicion of sending threatening communications to a Member of Parliament.

He was been bailed pending further inquiries.

The arrest came six days after Reform spokesperson Ann Widdecombe was killed at her Devon home.

The Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team informed Farage of the arrest on Wednesday.

Farage said: “This is the first time the police have ever proactively acted on a social media post, and I hope they are looking at the other three or four hundred similar posts from this year alone.”

It came as his party’s home affairs spokesperson said a Reform UK government would provide “round-the-clock protection” for all MPs.

Zia Yusuf also said Farage “lives his life under the ever-present threat of mortal danger” and those who “question his need for security should stop”.