Man arrested over social media threat to shoot Nigel Farage

Key facts

• A man in his 20s was arrested in south London.
• The arrest is in connection with a social media post threatening to shoot Nigel Farage.
• The post was allegedly made in May and reported on May 8.
• The suspect was released on bail.
• The arrest follows the recent killing of former MP Ann Widdecombe.

A man in his 20s has been arrested in south London on suspicion of sending threatening communications to Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, via a social media post. The Metropolitan Police made the arrest on Tuesday, following a report of the post made on May 8.

The alleged threat, posted on X in May, read, “I am going to shoot you in the head if you win.” The arrest comes amid heightened concerns for politician security in the UK, particularly following the recent killing of former government minister Ann Widdecombe, who was Reform UK’s immigration and justice spokesperson.

Farage stated that Widdecombe’s death showed that “things have become even more dangerous” for people in public life. His party has called for better protection for its members, suggesting they are at greater risk than other politicians. Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the increased danger, noting that three sitting or former MPs had been murdered during his 11 years in Parliament.

The threat was reported on May 8, but the arrest only occurred after police received information they requested from the social media company about the user’s identity. The suspect was released on bail pending further inquiries. Farage recently received a significant donation from a cryptocurrency billionaire, which he said helped pay for his private security.