Locals who share Ann Widdecombe's views are 'frightened to death' after counter-terrorist police took over the investigation into the veteran politician's murder at her home in the remote village of Haytor Vale, Devon. Residents reported that some people are 'enjoying' her death, with an ex-Labour candidate posting on social media that she hoped Ms Widdecombe suffered a 'painful death'.
Jackie Floyd, 58, a carer from Ashburton, said: 'Where is the outrage? If this was someone from Labour, the whole country would be up in outrage. They're actually enjoying it. After what's happened to Ann, everyone in England, we're frightened to death.' She added: 'We can't speak the truth anymore. We're all going to get killed like Ann. I don't feel safe, and I've never felt that way. I feel unsafe in my own country.'
Counter-terrorism police take over investigation
Police initially said on Sunday that there was 'nothing to suggest [the murder] was politically motivated', but on Monday it was announced that counter-terrorism police had taken on leadership of the probe after 'new information and evidence' came to light. Steve Facey, 65, a retired sales engineer from Torbay, said it is 'no surprise at all' that anti-terror cops have taken over, as he believes her death will prove to have been politically motivated. He added: 'I don't think we'll ever get the full truth. It's one of the worst things that's happened in the country in recent years.'
Local residents express fear and concern
Wayne Maloney, 62, a painter and decorator from Liverton, about a 10-minute drive from Haytor Vale, said he saw Ms Widdecombe driving only last week, describing her as 'lovely' and 'a character'. He suggested there is 'a link somewhere' and that if the killer had pretended to show kindness, 'she probably would have taken him in for a cup of tea or something'. His brother-in-law, Mike Tucker, 65, a sales account manager from Bovey Tracey, saw Ms Widdecombe two weeks ago at a local garage. He said: 'It is quite a worry… it's quite close; you don't have a murder on your doorstep.' He added that she 'certainly would have confronted the guy', noting that 'she used to deal with the IRA. She's been there, done it. I don't think she was scared of anything.'
Reports suggest locals raised the alarm after spotting a 'suspicious' dark VW Golf parked near Ms Widdecombe's home hours before she was murdered. Mr Tucker praised staff at a local garage who noticed it at around 9am on Wednesday, which 'got the ball rolling for the police'.
Others pay respects and question security
Pam Derham, 72, a retired headteacher from Bristol who has a holiday home in Avonwick near Plymouth, visited to pay her respects. She said: 'It's horrific. It's really upset me; I don't quite know why. I haven't met her. I've seen her over the years doing what she did. I just couldn't believe it. It's such a shock that something like that could happen to a lady who was 78, diminutive in size. In a beautiful spot like this, you don't expect it. The house is called Widdecombe's Rest - she should have been safe there, that's the thing.' Her husband Rob Derham, 72, who worked in finance, called the incident 'disgusting'.
Olly Erkmen, 31, a lab scientist from Oakhampton, said Ms Widdecombe was 'demonised' and that the incident 'seems very odd' and 'targeted'. Sonya Styles, 50, a homemaker from Kingsteignton, said Ms Widdecombe's death is 'heartbreaking' and that there should have been more security measures in place at Widdecombe's Rest. It has been reported that Ms Widdecombe was advised by a friend to have a proper security gate installed, but she refused outright.
