Ann Widdecombe's brutal murder has exposed the Left's monstrous reaction, with many revelling in the death of a political opponent, writes Carole Malone in a scathing opinion piece. The former Conservative MP and Reform UK figure was bludgeoned to death in her own kitchen in Haytor, Dartmoor, yet police initially downplayed any political motive.
Police Obfuscation and Ineptitude
Devon and Cornwall Police faced heavy criticism for their handling of the case. Despite mounting evidence, they repeatedly insisted the attack was not politically motivated. Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, later stated it was a targeted attack, though not yet declared a terrorist incident. Jonathan Hall KC, the UK's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, expressed surprise at the police's initial statements, questioning why they ruled out political motivation only to reverse their position.
Reports emerged that the suspect, arrested on suspicion of murder, had Russian communist literature and other political ideology items at his home in Rotherham. Police had earlier hinted at a burglary gone wrong, despite doorbell camera footage providing key evidence linking the suspect to the crime.
Left's Vile Response
Malone condemns the Left's reaction to Widdecombe's death, highlighting comments from figures like Peter Tatchell, who called her a 'bigot', and Adam Boulton, who referred to her as an 'old maid' and 'spinster'. Heather Herbert, a trans woman and Edinburgh University employee, expressed hope that Widdecombe died screaming in agony. Malone likens this to the 'Ding Dong the Witch is dead' t-shirts sold after Margaret Thatcher's death, calling these individuals 'aberrations of humanity'.
Nigel Farage, a close friend of Widdecombe, faced abuse for stating his belief that her death was premeditated. Alistair Campbell accused him of using the death for 'performative spectacle', while James O'Brien called him a 'whingeing coward'. Malone argues that the police's deceit facilitated this abuse, as they initially denied political motivation.
Impact and Aftermath
The case has now been taken over by counter-terrorism police, and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has invited Farage to discuss security concerns. Malone criticises Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan for claiming an 'extraordinary response' to the murder, calling the force's actions 'foolish, inept and wilfully deceitful'. She concludes that the Left's gleeful reaction to Widdecombe's killing exposes their hypocrisy, as they claim to care about minorities and social justice yet celebrate the death of an elderly woman whose views they oppose.
