Counter-terror cops now leading Ann Widdecombe ‘murder’ probe after ‘new evidence found’
COUNTER-terror cops are now leading the probe into Ann Widdecombe’s alleged murder.
“New information and evidence” about the death of the ex-Tory minister has come to light, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTP) said.
The outspoken politician, 78, was found dead at her isolated bungalow in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday morning.
She allegedly suffered severe head injuries after being bludgeoned – before being found by her carer who called 999.
A 28-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday evening in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
He has now been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, CTP said.
And it has since been confirmed that counter terror cops will take over the investigation from Devon & Cornwall Police.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she had spoken with the Head of National Counter Terrorism Police, Laurence Taylor, regarding the probe.
Writing on X, she said: “This morning I have spoken to the head of @TerrorismPolice.
“Following new information and evidence, they are now leading on the investigation into the horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe.
“The police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.
“I will be updating the House further this afternoon. My thoughts today remain with Ann’s family and friends, and all those who loved her.”
Ms Mahmood has also since confirmed the suspect “was not known” to the Prevent programme
Cops believe Ms Widdecombe was killed almost 24 hours before her body was discovered, at around midday on Wednesday.
And a man suspected of murdering the ex-MP is believed to have driven 270 miles to her home with a “wooden stick” on the day of her death.
CCTV seen by The Sun appears to show a young man leaving an address at around 7am on Wednesday morning.
Neighbours told The Telegraph they saw him putting “some kind of wooden stick” into the passenger side of a red car before driving off.
It is around a four-hour drive from South Yorkshire to Dartmoor, where Ms Widdecombe lived alone.
Forensic officers were later seen entering a terraced home in Rotherham, with a police cordon and several marked vehicles at the scene.
Mr Taylor confirmed “multiple lines of enquiry” were being explored to determine the motivation for the alleged murder.
He said: “Building on the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police, we now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation.
“We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.
“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.
“We would like to thank local communities, the wider public and the media for their ongoing support and patience, and would ask them to continue to support us in the next stage of the investigation.”
Devon & Cornwall Police say they are not looking for anyone else as part of the investigation.
And Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman previously told the press the alleged murder is not thought to be politically motivated.
Ms Widdecombe was interviewed on TalkTV at around 8am on Wednesday via video link from her home, named Widdecombe’s Rest.
She was due to appear on Channel 5‘s Matt Allwight show at 1pm – but failed to respond to show producers.
The Reform UK immigration and justice spokeswoman was set to discuss party leader Nigel Farage‘s Clacton-on-Sea by-election.
In exchanges later made public by ITV News, Ms Widdecombe messaged a staff member at 12.19pm telling them “Received! Panic over!!”
But she did not respond to a Zoom link sent half an hour later at 12.48pm before a producer messaged at 12.55pm asking: “Hi Ann is everything ok?”
During the show, Mr Allwight confirmed Ms Widdecombe had been due to appear but had stopped responding to messages.
It is believed that her killer was caught on her home CCTV cameras.
On Friday, cops said they believed the attack took place at around 12.30pm on Wednesday.
They were working on the assumption she died in a burglary gone wrong.
A 26-year-old man was initially arrested on Friday at an address in Newton Abbot, 11 miles from the scene of the murder.
But he was later released from custody, with cops confirming he was no longer part of the investigation.