The prime suspect, a White British man who cannot be named for legal reasons, was today re-arrested on suspicion of “commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”, Counter Terrorism Policing South East said
Counter terror cops are now leading the probe into Ann Widdecombe’s killing after announcing they have discovered “new information and evidence”.
The development came as police continued to quiz a 28-year-old man on suspicion of murdering the 78-year-old former Cabinet Minister and new footage emerged of his arrest. Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said: “Building on the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police, we now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation.
“We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack. Our priority is progressing this investigation quickly, with all the capabilities we have available to us.”
The prime suspect in the case, a White British man who cannot be named for legal reasons, was today re-arrested on suspicion of “commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”, Counter Terrorism Policing South East said.
It came two days after he was arrested at his home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire – some 270 miles from Ms Widdecombe’s home in Haytor, Devon, where she was found dead last Thursday. The man’s re-arrest on suspicion of terror offences means police can now hold him without charge for up to 14 days under the Terrorism Act.
Specialist terror officers had previously been working alongside detectives from Devon and Cornwall Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team since a murder investigation was launched last week and assisted in the suspect’s original arrest shortly after 9pm on Saturday night.
Detectives have been examining CCTV appearing to show the man putting a wooden stick in the back of a filthy and moss-covered red Vauxhall Corsa on the day police believe Ms Widdecombe was killed. Neighbours have described him as a loner who became increasingly reclusive after the death of his dad last December.
But while updating MPs about the case in the House of Commons today, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revealed the man was not previously known to the government’s counter extremism programme Prevent. She also said officers are investigating “multiple lines of enquiry” to establish the motive for the attack and added police are preparing to issue new guidance to MPs, as well as former Members of Parliament.
She said: “Politics is a calling, for those of us here. But it should not be a dangerous one. And so it is incumbent on the House and the Government to work together to protect those who choose to serve.”
Paying tribute to Ms Widdecombe, Ms Mahmood said: “Ann Widdecombe dedicated her life to politics and public service. For nearly forty years, she was a fixture of our political life. She brought conviction to our politics, grounded in her profound Catholic faith.
“She was forthright in her opinions, and argued courageously for the things she believed in. But, perhaps most of all, she brought an inimitable style to politics. She was forthright and fearless.” Ms Mahmood added: “She was one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics.”
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also paid tribute to Ms Widdecombe in the chamber and urged MPs not to say anything that might prejudice a future trial. He said: “Ann was a formidable politician, a prominent figure in public life. She was a member of Parliament for Maidstone for 27 years, holding a number of ministerial posts in the 90s. Ann was fierce and enjoyed robust political debate. “Whether you agree with her or not, she was principled, spoke her mind and was true to her beliefs, which were informed by a Christian faith. On a personal level, Casa Pizza in Lambeth, in Kennington, is where I spent a lot of time in the evening sharing a pizza with the one and only Ann Widdecombe.
“She was a friend in many ways. Politically we may not agree, but she was without doubt a courageous principal politician and all our thoughts are with her family and her friends.” Sir Lindsay Hoyle has previously spoken about his fears for MPs following the killings of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 and Conservative politician David Amess in 2021. He added: “Ann was a close friend to David Amess, who was murdered in 2021, and both were fellow animal lovers.”
Ms Widdecombe, a former Tory minister and lately a spokeswoman for Reform UK, was found dead in her kitchen on Thursday – 24 hours after she died at around 12.30pm having sustained serious injuries in the isolated cottage where she lived with her cat.
Police believe she died in her house just 30 minutes before she was set to appear on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show, via video call from home. She had last messaged a producer at 12.19pm, but failed to respond to a text at 12.48pm.
Downing Street today urged the public to respect “the integrity” of the police investigation following intense social media speculation about the motive for the attack. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The police have been very clear that this is a live murder investigation.
“We would echo their message that it is important the integrity of the investigation is protected and supported while officers carry out their work. We would also urge anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward and contact the police.”