Counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of former British politician Ann Widdecombe, after what officers described as new information coming to light during the investigation.
Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday, having sustained serious injuries. She had served as a Conservative minister and later as a spokeswoman for the Reform party. A manhunt followed her death, resulting in the arrest of a 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, at about 21:00 on Saturday.
That suspect was originally arrested on suspicion of murder. He has since been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, according to BBC News.
Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said his team is now driving the inquiry. "We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack," he said. Taylor added that the new arrest builds on "the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police" and called on the public to come forward. "Our priority is progressing this investigation quickly, with all the capabilities we have available to us. If anyone has any information, please share it with the police," he said.
Counter Terrorism Policing South East said new information "has come to light during what has been a dynamic and complex investigation."
CCTV footage obtained by the Sun showed a man dressed in a white shirt and shorts getting into a red vehicle outside a house in Rotherham. The footage was time-stamped at 07:51 on Wednesday, hours before Widdecombe is thought to have been attacked. A long object appeared to protrude from the man's shorts pocket. The distance between Widdecombe's home in Devon and Rotherham, where the suspect was arrested, is about 270 miles, roughly a four-and-a-half-hour drive.
At least two police vehicles were seen parked outside a Rotherham property connected to the investigation on Sunday. The property was cordoned off while officers and forensic teams worked at the scene. One neighbor told BBC News: "I was making some food in the kitchen and looked out the window, there was loads of banging, and there was armed police in the pathway and they just went into the house and pulled [the suspect] out." Another neighbor said police removed a red car from the drive.
Earlier on Sunday, before the terrorism re-arrest, Devon and Cornwall Police had said there was "nothing to suggest" the murder was politically motivated. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman had said officers remained open-minded about motive. The terrorism designation represents a significant shift from that earlier assessment.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she would update the House of Commons about the investigation on Monday afternoon. "My thoughts today remain with Ann's family and friends, and all those who loved her," she wrote in a post on X.
