Boris Johnson has described proposals to boost security for MPs, prompted by the murder of a Widdecombe family member, as "expensive and pointless". His comments come as it emerged that MI5 has been advising politicians on setting up safe rooms in their homes, highlighting the heightened concern among security services about threats to elected officials following the killing.

The remarks add Johnson's voice to a wider debate about how far the state should go in protecting politicians without isolating them from the public they represent. The disclosure that MI5 has offered guidance on home safe rooms indicates that intelligence agencies are already taking practical steps to address MPs' safety, even as senior figures like Johnson question whether further spending on security measures is proportionate or effective.