UK counter-terrorism police take over Ann Widdecombe murder probe after initial dismissal of political motive

The investigation shifts

British counter-terrorism police have taken over the investigation into the suspected murder of Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman, interior minister Shabana Mahmood confirmed on Monday. Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday with what police described as "serious injuries". A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was initially arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday evening, before being re-arrested on Monday on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. The re-arrest under the Terrorism Act allows police to hold the suspect for up to 14 days without charge, compared with the standard 96 hours for a murder arrest.

Following new information and evidence, they (counter-terrorism police) are now leading on the investigation into the horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe.

Police reverse earlier stance

Just over 24 hours before the handover, Devon and Cornwall Police had publicly stated there was no evidence of a political motive. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said on Sunday there was "still no information to suggest it was a terrorism related incident" and that there was "nothing to suggest that it was politically motivated". That position was reversed on Monday after "new information and evidence came to light", according to Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE). Jonathan Hall KC, the government's independent reviewer of terrorism, told Times Radio that Devon and Cornwall Police "probably broke one of the golden rules of investigations" by steering the public away from the terrorism possibility rather than keeping an open mind.

I don't understand why Devon and Cornwall police were steering the public away from the idea that this was a terrorist case and I don't know why they didn't simply say they had an open mind as to the motivation.

Timeline of the attack

Widdecombe gave a radio interview to Christian radio station TWR at 12:10pm on Wednesday, defending Reform UK leader Nigel Farage over parliamentary investigations into his finances. Police believe she was murdered approximately 20 minutes later, at about 12:30. CCTV footage obtained by The Sun showed the suspect appearing to get into a car in Yorkshire just before 08:00 BST on Wednesday morning, hours before the attack. The distance between Widdecombe's home in Devon and Rotherham, where the suspect was arrested, is approximately 430 kilometres, a drive of about four and a half hours. Police were called to her property at around 11:40am on Thursday, nearly 24 hours after she abruptly stopped responding to messages.

The suspect and arrests

Saturday's arrest was the second in two days. A 26-year-old British national was initially arrested in Newton Abbot, roughly nine miles from Widdecombe's house, on suspicion of murder but was released from custody and deemed no longer part of the investigation early on Saturday morning. The 28-year-old suspect currently in custody was arrested at an address in Rotherham, more than 200 miles from the Haytor residence. Under UK law, police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service do not release suspect names unless charges are filed, following a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that individuals under criminal investigation have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Reactions and security concerns

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice questioned the early dismissal of a political motive in the Commons on Monday, asking whether it would be "wise when considering motivation, when giving us early updates, to keep things open ended as opposed to ruling things out too quickly". Downing Street stressed the importance of protecting the "integrity" of the investigation, with the prime minister's official spokesperson urging anyone with information to come forward. Interior minister Mahmood noted the suspect was not known to Prevent, the government's counter-extremism programme, but said the case "raises some important questions about the safety of those holding public office", referencing the murders of MPs Jo Cox and David Amess. National Counter Terrorism Policing head Laurence Taylor said the priority was "progressing this investigation quickly, with all the capabilities we have available to us".

Our priority is progressing this investigation quickly, with all the capabilities we have available to us. If anyone has any information, please share it with the police.