Home CCTV footage has captured the dramatic moment armed police arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe, approximately 300 miles from her home in Devon. The suspect, a white British man, was detained in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday evening.
Arrest and Rearrest
Video shared with Sky News shows a topless man being handcuffed by armed officers after they targeted a property in South Yorkshire. The handcuffed suspect was led through a garden and away from the house at around 9pm. He has since been rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, with counter-terrorism police now leading the investigation.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at approximately 11.40am on Thursday, July 9, after sustaining serious injuries. It is believed she was attacked on Wednesday, July 8, at around 12.30pm.
Investigation Update
Widdecombe's death was announced on Friday, July 10, but initially no mention was made of murder. Hours later, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed a murder probe was under way. A 26-year-old man was initially arrested on suspicion of murder but was later released and is no longer a suspect.
Laurence Taylor, head of UK counter-terrorism policing, 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 enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack."
Background
Ann Widdecombe served as a Conservative MP and minister before becoming a television personality. She was found dead at her home in Devon, and police have not yet disclosed the nature of her injuries. The investigation continues under counter-terrorism authorities.
