Reform UK proposes £100m ’round-the-clock’ security plan for MPs

Yusuf announced Reform’s latest policy during a central London press conference in which he criticised the language used by rival parties about Reform.

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

Yusuf told reporters: “Politicians from other parties are perfectly entitled to disagree with our policies and criticise us.

“They’re of course free to criticise us. But they must stop equating us to murderous regimes that butchered tens of millions of people and committed some of the greatest horrors in history.”

Yusuf also said: “I do not want to see what happened to Ann happen ever again. This has to stop.”

He added: “If Reform win the next general election, as home secretary I will ensure all Members of Parliament of all parties are provided with round-the-clock protection.

“We will also allocate significant new resources to protect former politicians still active in public life.”

Yusuf said the support for former politicians would be “based on a threat assessment”.

The BBC’s Alex Forsyth asked Yusuf about language he has used on social media, including calling Sir Keir “sick” and “depraved” and describing the Conservatives as “open border lunatics who deserve their extinction”.

He has also accused Labour and Conservative politicians of being “traitors”.

Yusuf replied: “If you use the word ‘traitor’, for example, the definition of ‘traitor’ is somebody who is engaged in betrayal.

“And as far as I’m concerned it is demonstrable that, for example, the Conservative Party has acted in betrayal of the people who voted for them.”

He added there is a “clear difference” when comparing his language to comments he had criticised from other parties.

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.”

The spokesperson said 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 the police and a range of professional authorities”.

The spokesperson added: “These are naturally kept under continuous review.”