Suspect's Journey and Actions After Alleged Murder
A 28-year-old man is believed to have driven a 540-mile round trip from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, to the Devon home of former MP Ann Widdecombe, where she was found dead. According to The Sun, the suspect left his home in a red Vauxhall Corsa at 7:51am on Wednesday, July 8, returning by 6pm as seen in CCTV footage. That evening, he reportedly ate a Pizza Express Sloppy Giuseppe supermarket pizza at home.
The man, who lived alone with his Labradoodle named Rave, did not emerge from his home for three days, leaving on Saturday morning to put his bin out, wearing blue shorts and no top. Hours later, he was arrested at his home.
Discovery of Ann Widdecombe's Body
Ann Widdecombe, 78, a former Conservative MP and Reform politician, was found dead in a pool of blood inside the kitchen of her remote Dartmoor bungalow on Thursday, July 9. She was last seen during an interview for Talk TV at around 8am on Wednesday but failed to appear on Channel 5's Matt Allwright show at 1pm that day. Police believe the attack took place at around 12:30pm on Wednesday, as she stopped responding to text messages at 12:19pm.
Devon and Cornwall Police stated: 'Police officers were called to an address at Haytor by the ambulance service at around 11:40am on Thursday, 9 July. Sadly, 78-year-old Miss Widdecombe was located deceased within the property. She had sustained serious injuries.' A murder investigation was launched immediately.
Counter-Terrorism Police Take Over
On Monday, July 13, Counter Terrorism Policing confirmed it was leading the investigation after new information and evidence came to light. The 28-year-old suspect, initially arrested on suspicion of murder, was re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor described it as 'a dynamic and complex investigation' and said: 'Building on the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police, we now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation. We are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.'
Despite the involvement of counter-terrorism police, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed there is no information suggesting the death is terrorism related. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman earlier stated: 'At this time, I have got no information to believe that that is a politically motivated crime.'
Community and Family Reaction
Susan Coysh, Widdecombe's neighbour, told the BBC: 'I'm shocked. In this lovely setting where we live… I can't see why anybody would want to hurt her… it hasn't sunk in yet, actually.' She described Widdecombe as 'a character and a lovely lady'. Another neighbour, Peter Cornthwaite, said he saw a van arrive in the early hours of the morning on the day she died, with a white man dressed in hiking clothes.
Widdecombe's management, Cloud9 Management, said they are 'absolutely devastated' after 'a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours'. They added: 'We fully support the police in their investigations, and we reiterate the family's desire not to be contacted at this difficult time.'
Timeline of Investigation
Ann Widdecombe's death was announced on Friday, July 10, by her management. A murder probe was launched that same day after her body was found. A 26-year-old man was arrested on Friday evening but released on Saturday morning and is no longer part of the investigation. The 28-year-old suspect was arrested in Rotherham on Friday evening and re-arrested on Monday under terrorism legislation. Police have requested anyone with information to come forward and thanked the public for their 'support and patience'.
