UK police re-arrest suspect in Ann Widdecombe killing on terrorism charges
A 28-year-old man previously held on murder suspicion has been rearrested on terrorism offences after new evidence linked the killing of former MP Ann Widdecombe to a possible terrorist motive.
London – Counter Terrorism Policing South East announced that a 28-year-old suspect in the killing of former British politician Ann Widdecombe has been rearrested on suspicion of commissioning, preparing or instigating acts of terrorism. The man was initially detained on murder charges after Widdecombe, 78, was found with serious injuries at her rural home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday. Police now say the investigation is being led by the national counter-terrorism unit, with multiple lines of inquiry underway to determine the motive.
"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 inquiry to establish the motivation for this attack."
The suspect, whose name has not been released, was arrested in South Yorkshire on Saturday, more than 200 miles from the crime scene. Authorities have not disclosed the cause of death, only confirming that Widdecombe sustained serious injuries.
Widdecombe, a former Member of Parliament from 1987 to 2010 and former prisons minister, later appeared on television programmes and held positions with the Brexit Party and Reform UK. Police continue to investigate the case as they assess any potential political or extremist links.