Ann Widdecombe murder declared 'targeted attack' by Counter Terrorism Police
Counter Terrorism Police confirm Ann Widdecombe's killing was a targeted attack, as a 28-year-old suspect is held under the Terrorism Act for up to seven days.
Counter Terrorism Police confirm Widdecombe killing was 'targeted'
The murder of Ann Widdecombe, 78, was a "targeted attack", Counter Terrorism Police said on Tuesday, as detectives continue to work to establish the motive behind her death at her Devon home.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, told reporters at New Scotland Yard that officers had obtained a warrant under the Terrorism Act to detain the 28-year-old suspect — arrested in Rotherham — for up to seven days. The man, described as a white British male, was first arrested on Saturday on suspicion of murder and re-arrested on Monday on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Widdecombe's body was discovered on Thursday 9 July at her home in Haytor, Devon. Police believe the attack took place the previous day. She had sustained serious injuries.
Taylor confirmed that a counter-terrorism investigation is "running in parallel" to the murder inquiry, but said the case "has not been declared a terrorist incident at this stage". He added: "It is clear that this was a targeted attack. We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack. I wouldn't want to comment on what that motivation was."
When asked whether the killer could have been targeting other Reform UK figures, Taylor said he did not want to rule anything out. He also declined to comment on whether a foreign state may have been involved.
"There are multiple lines of inquiry that we are pursuing expeditiously, and that includes a number of digital forensic examinations," Taylor said. He described the killing as "a brutal attack on a 78-year-old woman in her own home" and acknowledged the "deeply distressing impact on Miss Widdecombe's family".
Talk TV appearance under scrutiny
One line of inquiry centres on Widdecombe's appearance on Talk TV on the morning police believe she was attacked. Taylor confirmed investigators are examining that appearance as part of the broader inquiry. "We are exploring all lines of inquiry and that is one of the lines of inquiry that we'll be exploring," he said.
Separately, it has emerged that Widdecombe gave a pre-recorded interview to British Christian radio station TWR-UK — lasting approximately nine minutes, conducted via video link — roughly 20 minutes before police believe she was attacked. That interview was never broadcast by the station, though it was later shared with Times Radio, which aired it on Tuesday. In the recording, Widdecombe discussed her support for Reform UK leader Nigel Farage following his decision to contest his Essex seat in a by-election, amid scrutiny over his finances and a parliamentary investigation.
Counter-terrorism takes over from Devon and Cornwall Police
Counter-terrorism officers formally took over the investigation from Devon and Cornwall Police on Monday. Taylor said the transfer followed "new information" that made it "appropriate" for counter-terrorism to lead. Before the handover, Devon and Cornwall Police had said there was "nothing to suggest" the murder was politically motivated, while maintaining they were keeping an open mind.
Devon and Cornwall's police and crime commissioner, Alison Hernandez, later defended the force. Hernandez acknowledged "commentary" about the way police had communicated in the early stages of the case, but described the response as "substantial and professional" and said it was "not unusual" for counter-terror police to become involved at a later stage.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the House of Commons on Monday that the suspect was not known to the government's Prevent anti-terror programme.
Farage claims earlier attack was ignored
As The Sun reports, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has alleged that Widdecombe "would still be alive" had police properly investigated a firebomb attack on his own home the year before her killing. Farage also claimed that Government ministers would "rather I be dead" than provide him with adequate security protection.
Widdecombe served as Conservative MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years before becoming a prominent Brexit campaigner and, more recently, a spokeswoman for Reform UK. She was also widely known for her appearance on the television programme Strictly Come Dancing. She was 78 at the time of her death.
Taylor reiterated a call for measured reporting as the investigation continues: "My request is that we don't over-speculate and that we go where the investigation takes us. In terms of motive, it would be wrong for me to ascribe either an ideology or what the motivation might be at this stage."
Source: The Sun