Counter terrorism police have taken over the investigation into the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe after “new information and evidence” came to light, with a 28-year-old suspect now re-arrested on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism.
Devon and Cornwall Police initially arrested a white British man on Saturday evening at a council house in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, more than 200 miles from Miss Widdecombe’s home in Haytor, Devon. Shortly before the England World Cup match, officers swarmed the terraced property on Byrley Road, removing a red car at around 3am. The suspect, who has not been named, was then re-arrested under the Terrorism Act, giving police the power to detain him without charge for up to 14 days.
“Counter terrorism police lead Ann Widdecombe murder probe after new evidence; suspect re-arrested on terror charges.”
“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,” said Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing. “We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.”
One neighbour, who has lived on Byrley Road for 12 years, said: “Nothing happens on this street. We’ve been here 12 years and nothing has ever happened.” Referring to the occupant of the property, she added: “He’s been living there on his own. We’ve never even seen him. We don’t really know him. I don’t think anybody knows him. It’s so strange.” Another relative described him as “quiet and as far as I know he never goes out.”
CCTV footage obtained by The Telegraph appears to show a man leaving a property linked to the suspect at around 7am on Wednesday – the day Miss Widdecombe is thought to have been attacked – placing “some kind of wooden stick” into the passenger side of a red vehicle before driving away.
Miss Widdecombe, 78, who served as a Conservative MP and later as a Brexit Party MEP and Reform UK spokeswoman, was discovered dead at her residence at approximately 11.40am on Thursday after suffering serious injuries. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons on Monday that the suspect was not known to the anti-terror Prevent programme. Police have said they are not looking for anyone else, but at this stage have given no suggestion of a political or terror motive.
“If anyone has any information, please share it with the police,” Taylor added.
