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Counter-Terrorism Police Lead Murder Investigation of Former MP Ann Widdecombe
Counter Terrorism Policing South East took over the inquiry after new evidence emerged. A 28-year-old man from Rotherham remains in custody on suspicion of terrorism offences.
Jul 13, 7:41 AM·2m read4 sources
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Counter Terrorism Policing South East assumed leadership of the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe after new information and evidence came to light. The 78-year-old former Conservative minister was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, at about 11:40 a.m. on Thursday 9 July 2026 with serious injuries.
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Police believe she was attacked there the previous day at around 12:30 p.m. A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of murder at an address in Rotherham at around 9 p.m. on Saturday 11 July 2026.
He has since been re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. The distance between Haytor and Rotherham is about 270 miles. CCTV footage time-stamped 07:51 on Wednesday 8 July shows a man in a white shirt and shorts entering a red vehicle outside a house in Rotherham with a long object appearing to protrude from his shorts pocket.
Devon and Cornwall Police received more than 120 reports of information after a public appeal. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman of Devon and Cornwall Police said there was nothing to suggest the murder was politically motivated and that officers remained open-minded about motive.
Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said the force is pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for the attack.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she had spoken to the head of Counter Terrorism Policing and would update the House of Commons further that afternoon. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described Widdecombe's death as a significant loss and called on people to rise above political differences.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described Widdecombe as a very fun and feisty woman whose family was in her thoughts.
