Counter-terror police are leading the investigation into the suspected murder of Ann Widdecombe.
The former Tory minister and Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home on Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday morning having suffered serious head injuries – but police believe that she was attacked nearly 24 hours before she was discovered.
Ann Widdecombe suspect arrest
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“New information and evidence have come to light during what has been a dynamic and complex investigation and as a result, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) is now leading the investigation.
“The man in custody has since been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.”
Here is everything we know about Ann Widdecombe’s death so far.
Ann Widdecombe was born in Bath, Somerset, in 1947.
She had a long political career serving as Conservative MP for Maidstone, later Maidstone and The Weald, in Kent for 23 years.
Shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe highlights the asylum crisis on a visit to Calais, France in 2001 (Sean Dempsey/PA)
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She was also Minister of State for Employment from 1994 to 1995 and Minister of State for Prisons from between 1995 and 1997 under John Major.
Following her time in government, she found fame outside politics after appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.
Miss Widdecombe, a supporter of the UK’s departure from the EU, later became a Brexit Party MEP, representing South West England in the European Parliament between 2019 and 2020.
She subsequently became a Reform UK spokeswoman, joining the party in 2023, and making a number of appearances as the party’s immigration and justice spokesperson.
Police investigating the murder of Ann Widdecombe have made an arrest (Ben Birchall/PA)
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What happened to her and when?
Devon and Cornwall Police were called to Miss Widdecombe’s home in Haytor Vale, a village within the Dartmoor National Park, at around 11.40am on Thursday, where they found her dead with serious injuries.
Her death was announced on Friday morning.
Police outside the house of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor
PA
In a statement, her management team said: “We know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way.”
On Friday afternoon, police issued a statement saying they had launched a murder investigation in connection to Miss Widdecombe’s death.
Her management team then released a further statement, saying they were “absolutely devastated” by news of the investigation after a “very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours”.
Devon and Cornwall Police originally said there was no reason to believe that the death was politically motivated or connected to terrorism.
However, counter-terror officers did support the force during the arrest in Yorkshire and on Monday it was announced they would be taking over the investigation.
What do we know about the suspect?
On Saturday night, a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of Miss Widdecombe’s murder around 270 miles away from the crime scene.
CCTV appears to show armed police storming the address in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and taking the white British national into custody.
Communist and other political literature was reportedly found at the home of the suspected killer.
Devon and Cornwall Police had originally said there was no suggestion that Miss Widdicombe’s death was linked terrorism.
However, counter-terror detectives have now taken over the case and are investigating whether the former MP was bludgeoned to death in a premeditated attack on Reform UK.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman has said that officers are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to Miss Widdecombe’s death.
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, reads a statement on the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe on Tuesday, July 14
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Police are probing whether the suspect was motivated by left-wing extremism and planning further violence against other high-profile figures.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor told reporters on Tuesday the question of whether a TV appearance might have motivated her killing is also a “line of inquiry”.
Miss Widdecombe spoke to Mark Dolan by video-link on Talk TV just after 8am on Wednesday – a little more than four hours before police believe she was attacked.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the man was not known to the Government’s Prevent anti-terror scheme.
A 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of murder in connection with Miss Widdecombe’s death – however he was released from custody on Saturday and is no longer part of the investigation.
While Miss Widdecombe’s body was discovered on Thursday morning, police believe that she died around 12.30pm on Wednesday afternoon.
She was to appear on due on Channel 5‘s Matt Allwright show at 1pm to answer questions about party leader Nigel Farage‘s Clacton-on-Sea by-election and the inquiry into his finances.
Police outside the house of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor
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Text messages released to the public show Miss Widdecombe’s talking to one of the show’s producers, with her final message being sent at 12.19pm.
She did not respond to a Zoom link sent at 12.48pm, and failed to answer further calls and messages from the production staff.
There have been numerous reports about a “mystery car” seen near Miss Widdecombe’s house around the time of the attack.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told media that he had been told a car was seen on her driveway at approximately 12.25 to 12.30pm on Wednesday.
The manager of a garage in Haytor alerted police at around 9am on Wednesday after his colleague spotted a dark VW Golf Mk4 parked in a “strange place” near Miss Widdecombe’s home.
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson, home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf, and deputy leader Richard Tice pay their respects near the home of Ann Widdecombe
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He said: “[The Golf] was at the top of the lane near Ann’s place. If it was a local they would have parked in the car park or one of the lay–bys.
“He was doing up his walking boots. He was in his late 20s, maybe early 30s. He was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I remember thinking, “Why is he parked there?” He was halfway out the lay-by.
“It didn’t look like he fitted in. You don’t see many late 20s, early 30s men around here. He was heading up in that direction [of Ann’s house].”
Police have not confirmed any further details regarding the car or suspect.
The Sun released CCTV footage that they claim is of the suspect for Miss Widdecombe’s murder getting into a car with an object that appears to be a wooden stick in his shorts pocket.
The footage appears to have been recorded shortly before 8am on Wednesday – four and a half hours and 267 miles away from the scene of the attack.
Police activity in Rotherham (Dave Higgens/PA)
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The Sun have also obtained CCTV that they claim shows police arriving to arrest the man just before 10pm on Saturday.
Officers in balaclavas stormed the terraced property and arrested the suspect without a struggle.
What has been the reaction to her death?
A number of politicians and prominent figures have made statements following the announcement of Miss Widdecombe’s death.
Sir Keir said: He said: “This is really shocking news, and my thoughts, I think all of our thoughts, will be with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this awful time for them.
“Ann was a distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements, and it’s a huge, huge loss.
Sir Keir Starmer
PA Wire
He added that he had spoken to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, as well as Andy Burnham, to “urge everybody to come together”.
“Ann Widdecombe was a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind and she was 78 years old, she was an elderly woman.
“I don’t understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person. It was a nasty, horrific attack and my heart is breaking for her family.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch
PA
A spokeswoman for Andy Burnham said: “Andy’s deepest condolences and thoughts are with Ann’s family today, in incredibly distressing circumstances.
“Ann gave a lifetime of public service, and it’s absolutely right that the police put all their resources into investigating this as swiftly as possible.”
Anton Du Beke, who was Miss Widdecombe’s dance partner when she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, said he was “devastated” to hear the news.
“She became a real friend. She was fun. She was upbeat. She was positive. She was supportive. We had an incredible time together and we stayed firm friends.
“My thoughts go out to all of her nearest and dearest and all her family. This is a sad day and I’m devastated by the news of Ann’s passing but I shall remember her fondly, and miss her.”
Ann Widdecombe found fame outside politics with her Strictly Come Dancing exploits
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Alison and Simon Gilbert, who have lived in in Haytor Vale for more than a decade, said Ann Widdecombe was a well-known figure locally.
Mrs Gilbert said: “She was a nice woman, really nice woman, and she had a great sense of humour.
“It’s a lovely area – you talk to strangers.
“Everyone saw her as quite an opinionated politician, but to us she was just a person in the community.
“First of all, we got back and saw police and thought maybe it was a burglary, a lot of us suspected she had a heart attack or something.”
“She didn’t deserve to die like that,” Mr Gilbert added.
One woman living in Haytor Vale, who did not wish to be named, said: “I never met (Ann Widdecombe) although I’ve lived here all my life.
“It’s tragic, someone gives all their life to public service and then they end like that.
“(Haytor) is a safe area. Every couple of years or so, somebody goes around the garden sheds and nicks all the expensive gardening equipment. That’s as far as it goes really.
“We’ve never had anything close (to this) in all my years.”