Chris Mason: The inquest into Widdecombe’s death has sparked a debate about how to protect politicians.

There is a familiarity that discourages discussion among MPs about their security.

It’s a topic that people on all sides are secretly reflecting on, given its daily impact on so many.

But it brought up the latest news about counter-terrorism police taking over the investigation into Anne Widdecombe’s death, and a discussion about how to keep MPs accessible and safe in public.

There was a warm and reflective mood in the Commons on Monday afternoon as MPs both remembered Widdecombe – many, whether they agreed with her or not, admired her character and convictions – and pondered what could be done to protect those in public life.

Sir Bernard Jenkin, a longtime Conservative MP, said: “As an MP, you are more likely to meet a violent death than a member of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces or a member of the British police force.”

Many people, including those who have been MPs for decades, said they felt more unsafe than ever – and many blamed social media for contributing to an environment where violent language and abuse are commonplace.

Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said: “We need to reiterate, and the Government and the Home Secretary need to do something about all those social media companies to shut down the visceral and violent language that some people use – as they did with her murder – which appalls me, because that is the cause of violence and death.”