Devon and Cornwall Police has come under fire for its handling of the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe after the case was transferred to Counter Terrorism Policing. The force had repeatedly stated there was no evidence of a political motive or terrorism link in public statements following the news of Miss Widdecombe's death on Friday.
Case Transferred to Counter Terrorism Policing
On Monday lunchtime, Laurence Taylor, the head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, announced that the national unit had taken over the investigation after officers uncovered new information and evidence. A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, arrested on Saturday evening on suspicion of murder, was rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Taylor stated: "We now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is leading the investigation... We are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the motivation for this attack."
Criticism Over Early Statements
Jonathan Hall, the Government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, expressed surprise that the force had steered the public away from the possibility of a political element. He said police had "broken one of the golden rules of investigations" by commenting on a live inquiry before all facts were known. Hall remarked: "I don't understand why Devon and Cornwall Police were steering the public away from the idea that this was a terrorist case... I think they probably broke one of the golden rules of investigations, which is not to comment on live investigations in case new facts emerge."
Political Reactions
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, warned on Saturday that the murder may have been premeditated. Party sources accused police of "gaslighting" the public over the suspect's motive. Political opponents had previously accused Reform of using Miss Widdecombe's death as propaganda.
Safeguarding minister Natalie Fleet apologised after attacking Mr Farage and Reform UK in a now-deleted X post, writing: "Nigel Farage and his gang of binmen get the same security as the rest of us. Sick of the faux outrage." She withdrew the post following backlash from Reform MP Lee Anderson.
Richard Tice, Reform UK deputy leader, demanded an apology after the investigation became terror-related. Reform's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf criticised police appeals against speculation, saying people were told to "shut up and accept the establishment narrative."
Impact on Public Trust
Gawain Towler, a Reform UK board member, said the handling risked further damaging confidence in policing: "In a time when trust in the police is at an all time low, this just plays into that they are trying to massage public opinion rather than do the job of investigating a brutal murder."
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the circumstances as "extremely distressing" and confirmed the case is now treated as terrorism. The suspect is not known to the Prevent programme. She offered to meet Mr Farage to discuss security arrangements, despite him not being an MP.
