The sudden and brutal murder of Ann Widdecombe has sent shockwaves through the nation's capital, with Counter Terrorism Policing now at the forefront of a complex investigation. A 28-year-old man remains in custody for a third day, having been initially arrested on suspicion of murder but re-arrested under the Terrorism Act on Monday. This move allows police to hold him without charge for up to two weeks, significantly longer than the standard 96-hour limit.
Ann Widdecombe's death, aged 78, was confirmed after she was discovered at her home in Devon on Thursday with serious injuries. Initially, Devon and Cornwall Police led the murder investigation, stating there was "nothing to suggest" a political motive. However, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) took over the inquiry on Monday, citing new information as the reason for their involvement.
Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, acknowledged the progress made by Devon and Cornwall Police and expressed his commitment to advancing the investigation and determining the motive behind the attack. He urged anyone with information to come forward and assist the police. CCTV footage reportedly shows the suspect getting into a car in Yorkshire on Wednesday morning, hours before Ms Widdecombe is believed to have been attacked at her Devon residence around 12:30 BST.
In a statement to the House of Commons on Monday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that the suspect was not known to the government's Prevent anti-terror scheme. She also highlighted concerns about the security of individuals in public life, indicating that police intend to issue new safety guidance to Members of Parliament in the near future.
Ann Widdecombe had a distinguished career in public service, serving as the Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years and holding ministerial roles in Sir John Major's government between 1994 and 1997. After leaving the House of Commons in 2010, she gained further public recognition through appearances on television programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. More recently, she joined the Brexit Party in 2019, representing South West England as an MEP from 2019 to 2020.