Counter-terrorism police have confirmed that Ann Widdecombe was killed in a “targeted attack”, as they disclosed that officers are investigating whether the suspect had planned to target other Reform UK politicians.
The 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday 9 July, having sustained serious injuries in an attack believed to have taken place the previous day.
“Ann Widdecombe killed in 'targeted attack'; police hold 28-year-old suspect on terror charges, investigating possible links to other Reform UK figures.”
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said the investigation is “running in parallel” to the murder inquiry but has not yet been declared a terrorist incident.
“It is clear that this was a targeted attack,” he told reporters at New Scotland Yard. “We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack.”
The suspect, a 28-year-old white British man, was arrested in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday and re-arrested on Monday on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, as well as murder. Detectives have obtained a warrant under the Terrorism Act to hold him for up to seven days.
Taylor confirmed that investigators are looking into whether the suspect had considered targeting other Reform figures, describing it as a “line of enquiry” to ensure the public and others are safe from any potential threat.
He said the appearance of Widdecombe on Talk TV on the morning of the attack is being examined as part of the investigation, and that he would not rule out foreign state involvement. “We are working through what the motivation for the attack currently is,” he added.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the House of Commons on Monday that the suspect was not known to the government’s Prevent anti-terror scheme.
The suspect is believed to have travelled more than 200 miles from his home in Rotherham to Widdecombe’s property in Devon – a 540-mile round trip. Police have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the killing.
Taylor described the attack as “brutal” and said it has had a “deeply distressing impact” on Widdecombe’s family. The former MP for Maidstone and later MEP for the Brexit Party had retired from frontline politics but remained a prominent public figure, appearing on reality shows and as a regular commentator.
