Man, 28, re-arrested under terrorism legislation after new evidence emerges in former minister’s suspected murder
COUNTER-TERRORISM officers have taken control of the investigation into the death of former government minister Ann Widdecombe following the discovery of new information and evidence.
A 28-year-old man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who was initially arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday, has now been re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Police stressed that investigators are continuing to examine several possible lines of enquiry and have not publicly established a motive.
Miss Widdecombe, aged 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, after emergency services were called shortly before midday on Thursday, July 9.
Officers said she had suffered serious injuries, prompting the launch of a murder investigation and a major police operation stretching from Devon to South Yorkshire.
The suspect was arrested at an address in Rotherham shortly after 9.00pm on Saturday, July 11. Specialist counter-terrorism officers had already been working alongside Devon and Cornwall Police before formally taking the lead in the case.
Counter Terrorism Policing South East said the change followed developments during what it described as a complex and rapidly moving investigation.
Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said officers were working urgently to determine what motivated the attack.
He said specialist resources from across the counter-terrorism network were now being deployed and appealed for anyone with relevant information to contact police.
The development represents a significant change from the position outlined by Devon and Cornwall Police over the weekend, when officers said there was nothing at that stage to suggest the death was connected to terrorism or politically motivated.
Police had also urged politicians and members of the public not to speculate while detectives continued their work.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood updated MPs in the House of Commons on Monday, confirming that counter-terrorism officers were now leading the investigation.
She said the suspect was not previously known to Prevent, the Government programme intended to identify and support people considered vulnerable to radicalisation.
The Home Secretary described Miss Widdecombe as a forthright and fearless figure and said her death had raised wider questions about the security of politicians and others involved in public life.
She said guidance would be issued to MPs and confirmed that former Lord Chancellor Sir Robert Buckland had been asked to examine lessons arising from the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess in 2021.
The Government has also offered Reform UK leader Nigel Farage a meeting with officials responsible for assessing protection for prominent public figures.
Police believe Miss Widdecombe was attacked at around 12.30pm on Wednesday, July 8. Her body was discovered the following morning after concerns were raised about her welfare.
A separate 26-year-old man arrested during the early stages of the investigation was later released and is no longer connected with the enquiry.
Miss Widdecombe served as Conservative MP for Maidstone and later Maidstone and The Weald between 1987 and 2010.
She held several ministerial positions during Sir John Major’s government, including roles at the Home Office, and later became shadow home secretary.
After leaving Westminster, she became widely known for television appearances including Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
She returned to frontline politics in 2019 when she joined the Brexit Party and was elected as a member of the European Parliament for South West England. She later became a prominent Reform UK spokeswoman.
Political leaders from across the parties have paid tribute to Miss Widdecombe, while around 40 people attended a vigil near her Dartmoor home on Sunday.
Police continue to appeal for information and have warned that the fact counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation does not establish any particular ideology, political connection or motive.
No charge has been brought and the investigation remains ongoing.
