Police investigate motive after former minister Ann Widdecombe killed in targeted attack
Counter-terrorism officers are probing the murder of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe, with a 28-year-old suspect detained under the Terrorism Act while motive remains unclear.
Police said the killing of former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe was a "targeted attack" and investigators are still determining the motive. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, noted that Widdecombe had appeared on Talk TV on the morning of the incident and that this appearance is being examined as part of the inquiry. He added that the investigation does not currently rule out the possibility that other Reform figures could have been targets.
Detectives have secured a warrant under the Terrorism Act to hold a 28-year-old male suspect from Rotherham for up to seven days on suspicion of murder. The suspect was first arrested on Saturday and re-arrested on Monday on suspicion of involvement in or planning of terrorist acts. Taylor said a counter-terrorism inquiry is running alongside the murder investigation, but the case has not yet been classified as a terrorist incident.
"It is clear that this was a targeted attack. We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack," Taylor told reporters.
Taylor declined to comment on any possible foreign involvement or the specifics of the planning. He emphasized the need to avoid speculation about ideology or motive at this stage. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood informed the House of Commons that the suspect was not listed on the government's Prevent anti-terror programme.
Counter-terrorism police assumed control of the case from Devon and Cornwall Police on Monday, citing new information that warranted the handover. Devon and Cornwall Police had previously said there was no indication the murder was politically motivated. Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez defended the force's response, describing it as substantial and professional and noting that involvement of counter-terrorism officers later in an investigation is not unusual.
Widdecombe, who served as MP for Maidstone for 23 years, had recorded a radio interview about 20 minutes before the attack is believed to have occurred.