Police say new information emerges in Ann Widdecombe murder probe

Counter-terrorism police took over the investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death after “new information and evidence” came to light. A 28-year-old white British man arrested on suspicion of murder was rearrested on suspicion of “commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism,” while Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said officers were pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the motive.

Earlier, Devon and Cornwall Police said there was still no information to suggest the death was terrorism-related or politically motivated. Officers were not looking for anyone else and retained primacy of the investigation at the time. The force urged the public not to feed speculation, saying that “progressing and protecting the integrity of our investigation is paramount.”

In Britain, counter-terror units step in when investigators believe a case may meet the Terrorism Act 2000 threshold, which covers serious violence or other grave harm used to influence government or intimidate the public for political, religious, racial or ideological ends. Counter Terrorism Policing’s role is to prevent, deter and investigate terrorist activity, and its South East unit operates within that national network.

Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home near Haytor on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in southwest England on Thursday, July 9, after officers found she had sustained serious injuries. Officers believe she was attacked at about 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and concern was raised when she failed to appear for a scheduled television interview later that day.

The suspect was arrested in South Yorkshire, more than 200 miles from the Devon home where Widdecombe was found, and has not been charged. Widdecombe served in the House of Commons from 1987 to 2010, later sat in the European Parliament for the Brexit Party and most recently appeared as a spokesperson for Reform UK.