CCTV footage appears to show a man placing a “wooden stick” into a car outside a house linked to the suspect in the murder of Ann Widdecombe, before driving away on the morning she is believed to have been attacked. The former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Haytor, Dartmoor, at around 11:40am on Thursday, having sustained serious injuries.
Police presence in Rotherham
On Sunday, a substantial police presence was reported at a terraced property on Byrley Road in the Kimberworth Park area of Rotherham, South Yorkshire – more than 200 miles from Widdecombe’s home in Devon. The activity follows the arrest of a 28-year-old white British man on suspicion of murder in the same town on Saturday evening, according to Devon and Cornwall Police.
Neighbours told the Press Association that police arrived at the property just before the kick-off of England’s World Cup match on Saturday night. Multiple units attended, and officers removed a red car from the driveway at approximately 3am. By Sunday evening, a South Yorkshire Police Tactical Support Group van was parked outside, along with at least two marked vehicles, and forensics officers in white overalls were seen entering and exiting the house.
CCTV evidence
The Telegraph reported that CCTV footage shows a man leaving the address linked to the suspect at around 7am on Wednesday – the day Widdecombe is believed to have been attacked. The man is seen putting “some kind of wooden stick” into the passenger side of a red car before driving off.
One neighbour commented: “It all happened just before the match. When we came home from watching it there were just two plain police cars there but everyone says there were loads more here before that.” Another resident said: “Nothing happens on this street. We’ve been here 12 years and nothing has ever happened.” When asked about the man living in the house, she added: “He’s been living there on his own. We’ve never even seen him. We don’t really know him. I don’t think anybody knows him. It’s so strange.”
Widdecombe’s background
Ann Widdecombe, 78, was first elected as a Conservative MP for Kent in 1987. She later served as an MEP for the Brexit Party and as a spokeswoman for Reform UK. Beyond politics, she gained fame after appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
Police statement
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman of Devon and Cornwall Police said on Sunday: “At this point, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident and at this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this murder. At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it was politically motivated.” He added that detectives “remain open-minded about the potential motive” and stressed there is no believed threat to the wider public.
Longman also urged the public not to engage with online speculation: “We are aware of online and public speculation, particularly with regards to motive. Again, I urge people not to share or engage with that speculation – it’s unhelpful, it doesn’t aid our investigation, and particularly, it’s distressing to the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe.”
Chief Constable James Vaughan of Devon and Cornwall Police described the investigation as “an extraordinary response to a horrific murder of a very prominent public figure.” He said: “The operation has been running at a lightning pace for 48 hours. I am really pleased that we have a suspect firmly in custody and that will undergo some further work from us today. Well done to all – this is clearly British policing at its very best.”
