Labour MP Natalie Fleet apologises for tweet attacking Nigel Farage

Natalie Fleet, the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, has issued an apology following public backlash over a social media post concerning the death of former Member of Parliament Ann Widdecombe. Ms Fleet, who represents Bolsover, faced criticism after she targeted the leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, on the social media platform X, describing his recent expressions of concern regarding the safety of his party’s representatives as faux outrage.

Ms Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday. The former Conservative minister, who later served as a spokesperson for Reform UK, had sustained serious injuries. In a message that has since been deleted, Ms Fleet wrote: Nigel Farage and his gang of bin men get the same security as the rest of us. Sick of the faux outrage. None of them cared when a senior Reform UK politician was sharing my death threats!

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The post drew immediate condemnation from political figures, including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson. Following the criticism, Ms Fleet issued an apology on the same platform.

"Apologies for offence caused by my earlier tweet, which I've now deleted. My thoughts are - as they have always been - with Ann Widdecombe's lived ones at this awful time."

Natalie Fleet, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, via X

The investigation into Ms Widdecombe's death underwent a significant change on Monday as Counter Terrorism Policing took over the inquiry from the Devon and Cornwall force. Laurence Taylor, the head of UK counter-terrorism policing, confirmed that investigators are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the motivation behind the attack. A 28-year-old white British man, who was originally arrested on Saturday on suspicion of murder at a property in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, has been re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that the suspect was not previously known to the government’s anti-extremism scheme, Prevent. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, a stance echoed by Downing Street. However, some Reform UK representatives had previously expressed frustration regarding the security provided to the party. Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesperson, had alleged that authorities did not care at all about the safety of Reform members.

In response to these claims, the Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, addressed the House of Commons, stating that all members of Parliament are treated equally regarding security. He noted that when concerns are raised with him, they are passed on to the appropriate security personnel. The Home Secretary also addressed the concerns of Reform UK leadership by offering Nigel Farage a meeting with the chair of the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, the body responsible for managing the security of those in public life.

Tributes have been paid to Ms Widdecombe across the political spectrum, with members describing her as a courageous and principled public servant. The House of Commons saw various members, including the Home Secretary and the Speaker, reflect on the safety of those in public life. As the investigation continues, police have encouraged anyone with information, images, or footage to contact the Major Incident Public Portal or the Devon and Cornwall force.