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World
UK MP staff face record threats: 78% received threatening communications since 2021
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 4 min read
The essentials
A survey by the Westminster-based Wellness Working Group (WWG), a taskforce dedicated to the wellbeing of British parliamentary staff, reveals that 78% of 530 respondents received threatening communications. Fear for security has risen from 18.7% to 30% over five years. One in two employees now display clinical levels of psychological distress, a record high since monitoring began in 2021. These findings emerge following the murder of Ann Widdecombe, Reform UK's spokesperson—a far-right British political party. Her assassination prompted Prime Minister Andy Burnham to announce a review of elected officials' security measures.
- 78% of British MP staff received threatening communications according to the WWG survey.
- Security fears have increased from 18.7% to 30% over five years.
- One in two parliamentary employees experience clinical-level psychological distress—a record high.
- Ann Widdecombe, Reform UK spokesperson, was murdered in July 2026.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a security review following the assassination.
What we know
A survey by the Westminster-based Wellness Working Group (WWG) — a taskforce based in Westminster dedicated to the wellbeing and security of British parliamentary staff, which has conducted annual surveys since 2021 — reveals that 78% of 530 respondents received threatening communications.
The proportion of staff reporting they 'frequently, very frequently, or constantly' fear for their own security or that of their colleagues has risen from 18.7% to 30% over five years.
According to research by Dr Ashley Weinberg (University of Salford), one member of staff in two now displays clinical levels of psychological distress. This represents the highest level recorded since monitoring began in 2021.
73 staff members report being 'very frequently or frequently' exposed to racist or discriminatory comments from visitors; 188 others report experiencing this 'sometimes'.
One quarter of respondents faced pressure to comply with requests that could compromise their security. Furthermore, 17 staff members report that no security recommendations made to their MP were implemented, and 59 (11% of respondents) report implementation only in part.
One staff member reports having been physically assaulted twice in the past year.
Key survey figures
78%
Of parliamentary staff who received threatening communications (530 respondents, July 2026)
30%
Fear for their safety frequently in 2026, versus 18.7% five years earlier
50%
Display clinical-level psychological distress — record high since 2021 (Dr Ashley Weinberg, University of Salford)
1 in 4
Faced pressure to comply with requests potentially compromising their safety
202118.7
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