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Counter-Terrorism Police Lead Probe Into Killing of Former Minister Ann Widdecombe
A 28-year-old man from Rotherham was re-arrested on terrorism suspicions after the death of former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe at her Devon home. Counter-terrorism officers took over the case following new evidence.
Jul 13, 7:41 AM·2m read20 sources
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Counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe after new information emerged during the inquiry. The 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday with serious injuries. Police believe she was attacked on Wednesday at about 12:30.
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A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was arrested at about 21:00 on Saturday on suspicion of murder and re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. The suspect was not known to the government's Prevent anti-terror scheme, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the House of Commons.
CCTV footage shows the man, wearing a white shirt and shorts, entering a red vehicle outside a Rotherham house at 07:51 on Wednesday with a long object protruding from his pocket.
The drive between Rotherham and Widdecombe's home covers about 270 miles. Neighbours in Rotherham reported armed police entering a property and removing the suspect, along with a red car from the driveway. Devon and Cornwall Police initially stated there was nothing to suggest a political motive, but Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said officers remained open-minded.
National Counter Terrorism Policing head Laurence Taylor said the re-arrest built on progress by local forces and that investigators were working to establish the motivation. Mahmood paid tribute to Widdecombe as forthright and fearless and said her death raised questions about the security of those in public life.
She commissioned former Lord Chancellor Sir Robert Buckland to review lessons from the 2021 murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess and offered Reform UK leader Nigel Farage a meeting with the chair of the Royal and VIP Executive Committee.
