Counterterrorism detectives are now leading the investigation into the murder of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe after “new information and evidence” came to light, marking a major escalation in the probe into the former MP’s death.
A 28-year-old suspect, who was first detained on Saturday, has been re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
He is reported to have driven almost 300 miles after being seen on CCTV climbing into a red car in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, with a wooden stick on the day of the politician’s death.
The 78-year-old was discovered with serious injuries in her remote Devon home at 11.40am the following morning.
Police claimed as recently as Sunday that there was no reason to believe the attack on the former prisons minister and Reform party spokesperson was terror-related.
Confirming his officers would now be leading the probe, the head of national counterterrorism policing, Laurence Taylor, said: “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.”
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the man in custody was not known to the government’s anti-extremism programme Prevent.
She told the Commons that police intend to issue new safety guidance to MPs soon, adding that she would look at “what security guidance can be provided to former members of parliament”.
The attack on Widdecombe came just a week after a video tour of her bungalow in Haytor, Dartmoor, aired on television.
The episode of Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House was recorded back in 2022 when she invited cameras into the property, but was re-broadcast on Quest at 6pm on Thursday 2 July, according to listings.
In the show, the former Maidstone and the Weald MP gives host Angus Ashworth a guided tour of her home, which she purchased for an estimated £600,000 in 2008, including her library and some of her antiques.
The property – which she named “Widdecombe’s Rest” – sits at a quiet crossroads at the top of the village, which boasts views for miles across to the Teign estuary.
Surrounded by well-kept lawns, the home has an outdoor swimming pool complete with slide at the back of the house, which she reportedly paid for with money earned her from appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.
Dee McVey, chair of Okehampton U3A, revealed she had invited Widdecombe to visit a local horse stables on the day she died.
The women had become friends after she invited the politician to speak at an event at the Union Inn in Moretonhampstead a few weeks ago.
“She was an amazing woman,” Ms McVey told The Independent. “She did a lot of talks for the U3A and always free of charge and very often she sold books when she was at the meeting and gave her profit to the U3A. She was so generous and so kind. She had become a friend of mine.
“She loved horses. She was going to come to a race meeting at the end of October and she was so looking forward to it. She had stables behind her house. She used to have a horse.
“What upsets me is that we had actually organised a stable visit for last Wednesday and she couldn’t come because she had engagements on the TV.”
Final messages previously revealed how Widdecombe had stopped responding minutes before police believe she was attacked at around 12.30pm on Wednesday, nearly 24 hours before she was found dead. She was due to appear on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show when she suddenly stopped responding to a producer’s messages, according to ITV News.
The latest announcement from Counter Terrorism Policing came as officers, working jointly with Devon and Cornwall Police, continue to question the white British suspect.
He was first arrested at 9pm on Saturday at a terraced property on Byrley Road, in the Kimberworth Park area of Rotherham, hundreds of miles from the scene of the attack. Security camera footage published by Sky News shows the topless suspect being led out in handcuffs.
The fresh arrest will likely give officers longer to question him as suspects can be held for up to 14 days without charge under the Terrorism Act.
Meanwhile Nigel Farage has been accused of using Widdecombe’s death as “political propaganda” after he said he believed the incident was “premeditated murder”.
Former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor, who was a close friend of Widdecombe, told The Times: “Ann Widdecombe was far too dear to her family, friends and former colleagues for her murder to be exploited as political propaganda.
“The police have expressly asked the public not to speculate about the motive. It is therefore deeply disappointing that Nigel Farage has chosen to do precisely that.”
Mr Farage hit back, responding: “Harvey was very close to Ann; I know he is upset, but I was really careful not to be political.
“I was very clear in what I said. I said I would not speculate as to whether it was someone with a grudge, someone with mental health problems or someone with political problems.
“I also said very clearly that I didn’t believe for one moment that it was a burglary that went wrong and I am 100 per cent certain I am right on that.”
The Reform leader has faced mounting criticism in recent weeks after it emerged he failed to declare a £5m gift he was given by crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne shortly before becoming an MP.
Mr Farage initially said the money was used to fund his personal security amid threats to his safety.
A source told the Mail on Sunday that Widdecombe’s family “don’t want her death hijacked for political purposes” and were “very uneasy” about Mr Farage attending the scene.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle urged MPs not to say anything that may prejudice a future trial as he paid tribute to Widdecombe, who he described as both “fierce” and “principled”.
Sir Lindsay told MPs: “I’d like to pay tribute to Ann Widdecombe who died in tragic, deeply troubling circumstances last week. Ann was a formidable politician, a prominent figure in public life.”
