Man carrying ‘wooden pole’ left house linked to Ann Widdecombe murder suspect and drove away
A man was seen putting a ‘wooden pole’ in a car outside an address linked to the Ann Widdecombe murder suspect the day she is thought to have been killed, according to a new report.
The former Conservative MP and Reform spokesperson was tragically found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11.40am on Thursday (9 July) after sustaining serious injuries.
An investigation into her death was launched and Devon and Cornwall Police announced on Saturday (11 July) evening that a man had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “Shortly after 9pm on Saturday the 11th of July, a 28-year-old white British man was arrested at an address in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on suspicion of the murder of Ms Widdecombe.”
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The following day, there was a heavy police presence at a house in Rotherham, the Press Association reports.
On Sunday evening, a South Yorkshire Police Tactical Support Group van was parked outside the house with at least two other marked vehicles, and forensics officers in white overalls were going in and out of the property.
CCTV footage seen by The Telegraph appears to show a man leaving an address linked to the suspect at around 7am on Wednesday, the day Widdecombe is believed to have been attacked.
Widdecombe’s Devon home is almost 300 miles away from Rotherham.
Neighbours told the outlet the man was allegedly seen putting ‘some kind of wooden pole’ into the passenger side of a red car before driving off.
Speaking to PA, neighbours on the street said police began arriving shortly before the England versus Norway match on Saturday night.
One neighbour said: “It all happened just before the match.
“When we came home from watching it there were just two plain police cars there but everyone says there were loads more here before that.”
A woman said: “Nothing happens on this street. We’ve been here 12 years and nothing has ever happened.”
In an update after announcing the arrest, Assistant Chief Constable Longman said detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the murder of Ann Widdecombe and that there is nothing to suggest her murder was politically motivated.
“At this point there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident. And at this point, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this murder.
“We retain primacy of this investigation and detectives remain open-minded about the potential motive. At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it was politically motivated. The cordon is still in place as officers continue enquiries at the scene and we anticipate that this will be the case for the next few days.
“The local community can also expect to see a heightened police presence in the coming weeks to provide reassurance to them. However, I wish to reassure you that we do not have any information to suggest that there is any wider threat to the public at this time.”
Chief Constable James Vaughan, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said the force had 'mounted an extraordinary response to a horrific murder of a very prominent public figure'.
“The operation has been running at a lightning pace for 48 hours,” he added.
“I am really pleased that we have a suspect firmly in custody and that will undergo some further work from us today.
“Well done to all – this is clearly British policing at its very best.”
Widdecombe was a Tory MP from 1987 until 2010, before defecting to the Brexit Party.
She later went on to become immigration and justice spokeswoman for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
Outside of politics, she starred in several TV shows including 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.
Topics: UK News
Claire Reid