Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:29 pm on 13 July 2026.
Ellie Chowns
Green Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs), Green Spokesperson (Defence), Green Party Westminster Leader, Green Spokesperson (Treasury), Green Spokesperson (Constitutional Affairs)
4:29,
13 July 2026
On behalf of the Green party, I would like to say how shocked, saddened and horrified I am by Ann Widdecombe’s horrific death—her brutal murder—and my sincere condolences go to her friends and family and all who knew her and loved her, including colleagues in this House. I welcome the points that the Home Secretary has made about reviewing security arrangements for those in public life, including former MPs and those outside this House. I very much agree with her about the responsibility that we all have, across this House and beyond, to avoid speculation, so that the police can hold their vital investigation and bring the culprit to justice. She has recognised the calls that have been made from across this House today for further action to tackle the proliferation of polarisation and hatred online. May I press her to set a timescale for taking that further action, to protect not only the safety and security of all those in public life, but the fundamentals of our democracy?