Counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe, after “new information and evidence has come to light”, police said.
A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering the former Government minister and MP remains in custody and has been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTP) said.
Armed police arrested a white, British man at a council house in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday evening around 9pm.
Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her remote Devon house on Thursday around 11.40am, more than 260 miles away from the suspect’s home.
Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), Laurence Taylor, said: “We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.”
CTP appealed for anyone who may have any information that could help the investigation.
Devon and Cornwall Police say Widdecombe, who was found almost 24 hours after it’s believed she was attacked, suffered serious injuries.
Suspect ‘left home with large stick’
The i Paper understands the suspect lives on small council house in an area known as the Kimberworth Park estate on the outskirts of Rotherham.
It is more than 260 miles from the address where Widdecombe was found dead in Devon.
Neighbours claim to have seen the young man leaving his home and getting into a red Vauxhall Corsa holding something that appeared to be a “wooden stick”.
CCTV shows a man getting into the vehicle at around 7am, less than six hours after police believe Widdecombe was attacked.
Forensic officers at the council home in Rotherham that was raided by police on Saturday evening (Photo: Dave Higgens/PA Wire)Neighbours said armed police arrived to raid the terraced property at around 9pm on Saturday night, just before the kick-off of the England World Cup match.
Local residents told The Telegraph he was seen carrying a “wooden pole”, with police units seizing a red car from the driveway at about 3am.
One neighbour who saw the footage told The Times: “It looked like a wooden stick or an iron bar, about a foot long, and it was pushing up underneath his T-shirt as he got into the car.”
Who is the suspect?
The i Paper understands the suspect lived alone after his father died within the last twelve months. He is described as a “recluse” who rarely left the property.
One neighbour, a woman in her 70s who asked not to be named, said she would see him standing at his back door and described him as being of slim build and having a pony tail.
“We used to see him going about his business but the [back] door didn’t open much,” she said. “He kept himself to himself.
“The grass never gets cut, it did when he dad was still living there but it’s overgrown now. I’ve never heard him in the garden.”
She added: “He was like a bit of a recluse, you never saw him going out shopping, you never saw him at the bus stop.”
It is believed the suspect attended a nearby high school along with his two brothers, one of whom served in the armed forces.
Claire Whybrow told The Times the suspect’s mother had been a teaching assistant, but then relocated to Devon.
“I thought the dog had gone and had not realised that they had left the son behind,” she said. “We never saw any movement in the house,
Courtney Foster, 25, who lives on the road, told The Telegraph: “He rarely comes out of the house – his dad used to do everything for him and I don’t know what he did for a living.
“I think once his dad died he went a bit loopy.”
She said the arrest had been “really loud”, adding: “They took his dog as well – I think it was a labradoodle.”
Widdecombe house ‘shown on TV days before killing’
The home of Widdecombe had been shown on a TV programme that aired days before she was killed, it is reported.
According to The Sun, TV channel Quest showed an episode of Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House in which the politician gave a tour of her £600,000 house.
Police outside the house of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor. (Photo: Matt Keeble/PA Wire)The programme, which was filmed in 2022 but broadcast on 2 July, five days before her killing, showed Widdecombe giving host Angus Ashworth a guided tour of her home, which she had renamed Widdecombe’s Rest.
The programme featured footage of the outside of the house and its driveway, and Widdecombe showing Ashworth her garden, conservatory, gym, library, dining room and kitchen.
It also showed items that Widdecombe wanted to auction.
Widdecombe failed to appear on TV show
Widdecombe was due to be a guest on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show on Wednesday afternoon, which runs from 12.50pm until 2pm, but did not appear.
She was due to record a video call from her home, ITV News reported.
A researcher exchanged messages with Widdecombe, with her last message received at 12:19pm.
At 12:48pm, the researcher messaged again asking the politician to join the Zoom link to prepare for the remote interview, but Widdecombe did not reply.
Police have launched a murder investigation after Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home (Photo Ben Stansall/ AFP via Getty Images)Calls and texts sent after the programme aired remained unanswered, and the Channel 5 show’s team then contacted her agent later on Wednesday and on Thursday.
WhatsApp messages published by ITC show Widdecombe last sent a message at 12.19pm that day acknowledging she had received a Zoom link to appear on the programme, which read “Received! Panic Over!”
But Widdecombe did not respond to a message asking her to join the Zoom call at 12.48pm, and did not answer further calls or other messages attempting to contact her.
Mr Allwright then confirmed at 1.27pm live on air she was booked to appear on the show, but had not turned up.
No political motive detected
Widdecombe, was first elected a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, went on to serve as an MEP for the Brexit Party and then a spokespserson for Reform UK.
Police had said there is currently no information to suggest Widdecombe’s killing is terrorism related or that it was politically motivated.
Detectives are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the murder and said they remain open minded about any potential motive.
Nigel Farage laid a tribute on Saturday near the home Ann Widdecombe after she was found dead on Thursday (Photo: Jack Taylor/Reuters)Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has faced criticism over speculation regarding the death of the veteran politician, who had joined Reform in 2023.
He told reporters he believed the attack on her was “premeditated murder” and said a car had appeared on her drive at around 12.25pm on Wednesday.
Former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor was among those who criticised Mr Farage, telling The Times: “The police have expressly asked the public not to speculate about the motive.
“It is therefore deeply disappointing that Nigel Farage has chosen to do precisely that.”
A friend of Farage said the party leader was concerned about the level of protection his party’s MPs were receiving from the state in the wake of the killing.
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