The investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s d3ath has taken another dramatic turn after the Home Secretary told the House of Commons that the main suspect was not known to Prevent, the UK’s anti-extremism programme.
Shabana Mahmood made the statement as MPs were updated on the fast-moving case, which has now been taken over by specialist counter-terr0r officers. Police have cautioned against speculation while detectives work to establish the motive behind the att@ck.
A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham was arrested on suspicion of mur;der on Saturday, following the d3ath of the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK figure at her home in Haytor, Devon.
The case had initially been led by Devon and Cornwall Police, who had previously said there was no evidence to suggest the incident was politically motivated. However, Counter Terrorism Policing South East has now taken the lead after what officers described as new information and evidence coming to light.
The murder of Ann Widdecombe, pictured on a TV show two weeks ago, may have been terror-related
The suspect in Ms Widdecombe’s murder was captured on CCTV leaving the property on a Rotherham estate shortly before 8am on Wednesday with what appears to be a pole in the pocket of his shorts
Shabana Mahmood giving a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon
The suspect has reportedly been re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terr0rism. Police have not disclosed the nature of the new evidence, and senior officers have stressed that multiple lines of inquiry remain open.
Laurence Taylor, the head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said officers were now using the full range of specialist capabilities available to progress the investigation as quickly as possible. He also urged anyone with information to contact police.
Ms Widdecombe was found at her Dartmoor property on Thursday after emergency services were called by the ambulance service. Officers said she had suffered serious injuries and may have been d3ad for around 24 hours before she was discovered.
According to the report, the suspect was captured on CCTV leaving a property in Rotherham on Wednesday morning and getting into a red hatchback. The footage is said to show what appeared to be a large baton or pole concealed in his clothing before he began the long journey south.
Officers were called to Ms Widdecombe’s home at Haytor, Devon, by the ambulance service at around 11.40am on Thursday, July 9.
The case has also drawn attention to a television appearance broadcast just days before Ms Widdecombe’s d3ath. In the episode of Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House, which had been filmed years earlier, she gave a tour of her Dartmoor home, including its garden, conservatory, library, dining room and kitchen.
There is no suggestion that the programme led to the att@ck or inspired anyone involved. However, the report noted that the broadcast has raised wider questions about how much detail public figures reveal about their homes in media appearances.
During the programme, Ms Widdecombe spoke warmly about why she had chosen to retire to Dartmoor, saying she wanted peace, quiet and solitude while still being friendly with neighbours. Her words have taken on a poignant tone following the sh0cking events of the past week.
The former MP had been due to appear remotely on a television programme on the day police believe the att@ck took place. She had exchanged messages with a producer shortly after midday but later failed to join the scheduled interview, prompting concern when follow-up calls and messages went unanswered.
Ms Widdecombe greets Angus Ashworth as she gives a tour of the £600,000 Dartmoor home for a TV show broadcast just five days before she was killed
The show, Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House, included shots of the kitchen where she died
Ms Widdecombe showed off items that she wished to sell at auction, including a rare Japanese dish and a teddy bear
The show also showed the exterior of the house and the drive – but the name plate was removed and location masked
Police have continued to search addresses and review evidence, while Reform UK is said to be examining messages sent to Ms Widdecombe in the weeks before her d3ath for any possible threats. The party has also said it is strengthening security for its MPs.
As the investigation moves into a new stage, senior officers have repeatedly asked the public not to spread rumours online. They said speculation could harm the inquiry and cause further distress to Ms Widdecombe’s family, friends and those who knew her.
Police were searching an address in Rotherham on Sunday where they arrested a man on suspicion of Ms Widdecombe’s murder
A cordon remains at the bungalow in Haytor, Devon, and police said locals will notice a heightened presence for the next few days
Floral tributes have been left on the grass outside her home, including a framed photograph of Ms Widdecombe
Tributes have continued to pour in for the former minister, who spent decades in public life before becoming a familiar face on television. From Westminster to Strictly Come Dancing, she remained one of Britain’s most recognisable and outspoken public figures.
For now, the focus remains on the police investigation, the evidence being examined and the unanswered question at the heart of the case: what led to the d3ath of a woman whose voice had been part of British public life for more than a generation?
