Counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe, after “new information and evidence has come to light”, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) has said.
“The police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack. I will be updating the House further this afternoon,” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said.
A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was originally arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday but has now been re-arrested “on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”, CTPSE said.
Police said the “dynamic and complex investigation” had led to the new arrest.
The announcement comes after the suspect of Widdecombe’s murder investigation was seen in CCTV footage appearing to get into a car in Yorkshire, hours before the former Conservative minister is thought to have been attacked in her home in Devon.
The man, dressed in a white shirt and shorts, can be seen getting into a red vehicle outside a house in Rotherham with a long object appearing to protrude from his shorts pocket, in footage time-stamped at 07:51 on Wednesday, first reported by the Sun., external
On Thursday, 78-year-old Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, having sustained serious injuries.
Her death sparked a manhunt, which culminated in the arrest of the man in at around 21:00 on Saturday.
Police were continuing to question the suspect on Monday.
Earlier Devon and Cornwall Police had said there was “nothing to suggest” the murder was politically motivated.
Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Matt Longman had said officers remained “open-minded” about a potential motive and that there was not thought to be any threat to the wider public.
