Counter-terror police are leading the investigation into the suspected murder of former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe. The 78-year-old was found dead at her home in Haytor Vale, Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday morning having sustained serious head injuries. Police believe she was attacked nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered.
Arrest and terrorism link
A 28-year-old white British man was arrested 270 miles away in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on suspicion of murder on Saturday 11 July. Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) announced on Monday that new evidence had emerged during the investigation, leading them to take over the case. The suspect has since been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman of Devon and Cornwall Police stated that officers are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to Miss Widdecombe's death. Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, confirmed on Tuesday that the attack was a targeted attack and that whether the suspect was targeting Reform UK figures will be a line of investigation.
Timeline of events
Devon and Cornwall Police were called to Miss Widdecombe's home at around 11:40 am on Thursday, where they found her dead. Her death was announced on Friday morning. Initially, police stated there was no reason to believe the death was politically motivated or connected to terrorism, but counter-terror officers supported the arrest in Yorkshire and later took over the investigation.
Police believe Miss Widdecombe died around 12:30 pm on Wednesday afternoon. Text messages released to the public show she was communicating with a producer for the Matt Allwright show on Channel 5, scheduled to appear at 1 pm. Her final message was sent at 12:19 pm, and she did not respond to a Zoom link sent at 12:48 pm, nor to further calls and messages.
Mystery car and suspect details
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told media that a car was seen on Miss Widdecombe's driveway at approximately 12:25 to 12:30 pm on Wednesday. The manager of a garage in Haytor alerted police after his colleague spotted a dark VW Golf Mk4 parked in a strange place near her home. The colleague described the driver as a man in his late 20s or early 30s, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, who did not appear to be a local.
CCTV footage obtained by The Sun appears to show the suspect getting into a car with an object resembling a wooden stick in his shorts pocket, recorded shortly before 8 am on Wednesday, 267 miles from the crime scene. Communist and other political literature was reportedly found at the suspect's home in Rotherham.
Reactions and tributes
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the news shocking and extended his thoughts to Miss Widdecombe's family. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed being stunned, describing Widdecombe as a fun and feisty woman. She said: "I don't understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person." Anton Du Beke, her Strictly Come Dancing partner, said he was devastated and remembered her as a real friend.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the suspect was not known to the Prevent anti-terror scheme. A 26-year-old man initially arrested on suspicion of murder was released and is no longer part of the investigation.
