Ann Widdecombe was killed in a ‘targeted attack’, counter-terrorism police confirm
Officers are currently working to understand the motive as counter-terrorism police say Ann Widdecombe was killed in a 'targeted attack'.
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor gave this update on the investigation into her death this afternoon (14 July).
He said there is a 'limit' to the details he can provide but that it's 'clear this was a targeted attack'. And the officer said that at this stage, the suspected murder of Widdecombe 'has not been declared a terrorist incident'.
Taylor added: "We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack.
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“I don’t want to comment further on that motivation or preparation at this stage of our inquiries.”
Widdecombe was found dead in her home in Hayton on Dartmoor, Devon, at about 11.40am on Thursday and it's thought she was attacked nearly 24 hours before.
A 28-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of the former MP's murder on Saturday (11 July) and has since been rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Taylor explained that officers have been granted a warrant of further detention, meaning the suspect can now be held for questioning for up to seven days under the Terrorism Act.
“There are multiple lines of inquiry that we are pursuing expeditiously, and that includes a number of digital forensic examinations,” the senior officer said.
“It is important to remember that this is a murder investigation following a brutal attack on a 78-year-old lady in her home.”
On Monday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the House of Commons that the suspect was not known to the Government anti-extremism scheme Prevent.
She added that police will be contacting MPs in their constituencies to offer support around security.
She said: "I know this raises questions about the security of those in public life.
"I will not be the only one here thinking also of two other beloved members of this House: Jo Cox and Sir David Amess.
"Politics is a calling, for those of us here. But it should not be a dangerous one."
It is believed that Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday at about 12.30pm, not long before she was scheduled to appear via video link on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show.
According to WhatsApp messages obtained by ITV News, Widdecombe’s last text exchange was with a producer about a scheduled TV appearance between 12.14pm and 12.19pm on Wednesday.
The research team were trying to organise the Zoom call with the politician but received no answer after 12.19pm.
Widdecombe was a former Tory MP, Brexit Party MEP and had become an immigration and justice spokeswoman for Reform UK.
The 78-year-old had also previously found fame outside of the world of politics when starring in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
Ann Widdecombe's alleged murder: a timeline of events
Wednesday 8 July
7am - Outside a property linked to the suspect arrested on suspicion of murdering Widdecombe in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, neighbours see a man putting ‘some kind of wooden stick’ into the passenger side of a red car, the Press Association reports.
8.05am - Ann Widdecombe appears in an interview for TalkTV about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
12.19pm - Widdecombe sends her final message to a Channel 5 researcher at this time as they discuss setting up a video interview.
12.30pm - Police believe Widdecombe was attacked around this time.
12.48pm - A message from the Channel 5 researcher asking Widdecombe to join a Zoom link goes unanswered.
Thursday 9 July
11.40am - Police are called to Widdecombe’s home in Hayton, Devon by ambulance services to find she had died after suffering serious injuries.
Friday 10 July
6.30am - Widdecombe’s management team releases a statement announcing her death - there is no reference to suspicious circumstances.
3.45pm - Devon and Cornwall Police announce they have launched a murder investigation.
5.45pm - Police announce they have arrested a 26-year-old white man as part of their investigation.
Saturday 11 July
6.30am - The 26-year-old is released from custody without being charged and police say he is no longer part of their investigation.
9pm - A white 28-year-old British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is arrested on suspicion of murder.
Sunday 12 July
Police say there is nothing to suggest Widdecombe’s alleged murder was politically motivated or an act of terrorism and say they are not looking for anyone else as part of their investigation.
Monday 13 July
Counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of Widdecombe after 'new information and evidence has come to light'.
Police say the alleged murder is now being treated as an act of terrorism.
Counter-terrorism officers rearrested the 28-year-old white British man on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says the 28-year-old suspect wasn't known to Prevent, and MPs will be offered guidance and support on their security.
Jess Battison