The Home Secretary has announced a major review into the security of those in the public eye three months after the killing of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe.

Shabana Mahmood also announced police protection for all political figures, not just MPs, with immediate effect.

Addressing the House of Commons on current terrorism threats to the UK, she paid tribute to Widdecombe, who was found dead at her home at Haytor on Dartmoor in July. She had been attacked and sustained serious head injuries.

Joshua Kerry, 28, of Rotherham in South Yorkshire, has been charged with her murder.

He has also been charged with preparing to preparation of terrorism attacks, including one targeting Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader and MP for Clacton.

Ms Mahmood said: “Since the House last sat, we have received a reminder of the threats ranged against this country. This has included the danger posed by extremists and terrorists, but it has also comprised threats posed by foreign powers seeking to undermine our nation’s security.

“These threats have targeted people, businesses and critical infrastructure, but above all else, they are attacks on our values and our way of life. The first duty of government is the security of the nation – so today I will update the House on our response to these threats, and how we are acting to keep our country and our citizens safe.

“I will start with the threat posed by terrorists and extremists, and I know one case, in particular, will be on the minds of many in the House today. It is now three months since the murder of Ann Widdecombe at her home in Devon.

“We continue to mourn her loss. On the 2 October, the suspect was charged with a terrorism offence, including preparing an act of terror against the leader of Reform UK, the Honourable Member for Clacton. I know that news will have been deeply distressing for the Honourable Member. So, may I say to him, and to his family, they have my profoundest sympathies at what must be an awful time. As I have said before, an attack on any one of us is an attack on us all.”

She went on to pay tribute to three political figures murdered in recent years, Ann Widdecombe, Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, saying “it is clear there is insufficient protection for those who serve”.

She continued: “I can therefore announce today that I will expand, with immediate effect, police support to political figures who are not currently members of Parliament. This will include former members of Parliament, peers and party spokespeople, giving them access to a named police officer, as well as help with wider security measures,” she said.

“But we must go further, so today, I also announce an independent, root-and-branch review of the protective security provided by the state to those in public life. This review will be led by Sir Stephen Lovegrove, the former national security adviser. It will examine protective security from every angle, including physical threats, online risks, and the dangers posed within our more polarised society. It will hear directly from ministers, members of Parliament and other high-profile people in public life, it will report within six months, and will complement Sir Robert Buckland’s ongoing review into the killing of Sir David Amess.

“This is rightly an independent review, but my commitment is that its findings must and will lead to tangible change, and that the state’s resources will be rebalanced to protect those people and places that need it most.”