Counterterrorism police lead inquiry into Ann Widdecombe killing

Counterterrorism police have taken over the investigation into the killing of former British politician Ann Widdecombe, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. The move has sharpened concern in Westminster because two serving members of Parliament were killed in attacks in the past decade.

Devon and Cornwall Police said Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home last week with serious injuries, according to the report. Police arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of murder on Friday, then counterterrorism officers rearrested him on Monday on suspicion linked to the “commission, preparation or instigation” of terrorism acts, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported.

Laurence Taylor, who heads national counterterrorism policing, said investigators were following several lines of inquiry as they work to determine a motive. Taylor said the priority was to move the inquiry forward quickly.

What police have said about the case

Widdecombe was found at her home in Haytor at about 11:40am local time on July 9, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. Police believe she may have been attacked the previous day after reviewing text messages between Widdecombe and a Channel 5 researcher who had been discussing a possible interview with her, the report said.

Her final reply to that researcher was sent at 12:19am local time on Wednesday, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. The Sun newspaper reported that security camera footage showed a man later identified as the suspect getting into a car in Yorkshire with what appeared to be a long object sticking out from his pocket.

The suspect was also connected to a property in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, more than 320km from Widdecombe’s home, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. Police initially said they had no information indicating a political motive and were not treating the case as terror-related, according to the report.

By Saturday, police said a 28-year-old white British national had been arrested in South Yorkshire by counterterrorism officers and South Yorkshire Police, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported.

Government urges caution

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told lawmakers on Monday that “new information” had emerged about the circumstances of Widdecombe’s death, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters. Mahmood said the suspect was not known to Prevent, the United Kingdom’s counterterrorism programme.

Mahmood urged the public not to speculate while police continue their work. She also appealed for anyone with information to contact investigators, according to the report.

Widdecombe’s political career

Widdecombe represented Maidstone as a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010 and held senior roles, including shadow home secretary in 1999, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. After leaving Parliament, she appeared on television programmes including Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing.

She later returned to elected politics through the Brexit Party, serving as a member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2020, according to the report. In 2023, she joined Reform UK and became its immigration and justice spokesperson, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported.

Widdecombe was known for socially conservative positions, including opposition to abortion and opposition to equalising the age of consent for gay and heterosexual relationships, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Security concerns for politicians

Mahmood referred in Parliament to the murders of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 and Conservative MP David Amess in 2021, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. Cox was shot and stabbed during the Brexit campaign by an attacker described in the report as Nazi-obsessed, while Amess was fatally stabbed by a man inspired by ISIL, also known as ISIS.

Mahmood said the Home Office and police work with Parliament’s security department to advise and support MPs, according to the report. She said police were expected to issue guidance to MPs soon.

Brandon Cox, Jo Cox’s husband, wrote on X that MP security must be improved based on intelligence and threat levels, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith also called for stronger government action against violent language aimed at politicians on social media, according to the report.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.