Man arrested over online threat to shoot Farage

Police in London have arrested a man in his 20s after a social media post threatened to shoot Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, intensifying security concerns around British politics.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest took place in south London on Tuesday, following a report of the post on X earlier in May. The suspect was detained on suspicion of sending threatening communications to a Member of Parliament and has since been bailed pending further inquiries.

Farage was informed of the arrest by the Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team on Wednesday. “This is the first time the police have ever proactively acted on a social media post, and I hope they are looking at the other three or four hundred similar posts from this year alone,” he said.

The development comes just days after Reform spokesperson Ann Widdecombe was killed at her home in Devon, a case now under investigation by counter‑terrorism officers. The proximity of the two incidents has sharpened debate over the safety of MPs and political figures.

At a press conference earlier Wednesday, Reform’s home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf argued that MPs should receive round‑the‑clock protection if the party were in government. He said Farage “lives his life under the ever‑present threat of mortal danger” and urged critics to recognise the seriousness of the security risks.

The arrest underscores growing concerns about online threats translating into real‑world violence, with police and politicians alike warning that the climate of intimidation is escalating.

Source: BBC