{"id":690174,"date":"2026-07-13T23:56:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T23:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/690174\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T23:56:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T23:56:19","slug":"uk-counterterror-police-take-over-investigation-into-suspected-murder-of-ex-lawmaker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/690174\/","title":{"rendered":"UK counterterror police take over investigation into suspected murder of ex-lawmaker"},"content":{"rendered":"

LONDON (AFP) \u2014 Anti-terrorism police have taken charge of an investigation into the killing of veteran British right-wing politician Ann Widdecombe after fresh evidence emerged, the UK interior minister said on Monday.<\/p>\n

Police said that a suspect detained over the weekend in connection to the attack on the 78-year-old former Conservative minister has now been re-arrested on suspicion of committing, preparing, or instigating \u201cterrorism.\u201d<\/p>\n

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that following \u201cnew information and evidence,\u201d Counter Terrorism Policing \u201care now leading on the investigation into the horrific murder\u201d of Widdecombe, who was found dead Thursday at her home in southwest England.<\/p>\n

The head of UK counterterrorism policing, Laurence Taylor, said in a statement that \u201cwe are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

The regional police force initially leading the investigation, Devon and Cornwall Police, said Monday that a suspect arrested earlier had been \u201cre-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.\u201d<\/p>\n

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On Saturday, they had arrested a 28-year-old white British man in Yorkshire in northern England, about 300 miles (480 kilometers) from Widdecombe\u2019s home, on suspicion of murder.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tBritain\u2019s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood arrives for a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in London, June 2, 2026. (Alberto Pezzali\/AP)<\/p>\n

Police initially said there was \u201cno information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mahmood said the killing was a \u201cdark day in our political life\u201d and \u201craises questions about the security of those in public life\u201d as well as that of former MPs.<\/p>\n

But she told parliament the suspect arrested was \u201cnot known to Prevent,\u201d the government program for people at risk of becoming terrorists through radicalization.<\/p>\n

A staunch supporter of Brexit, Widdecombe left the Conservatives in 2019 to join the hard-right party of anti-immigration leader Nigel Farage.<\/p>\n

Mahmood said she recognized \u201cthe particular concern that the Reform Party will feel today.\u201d<\/p>\n

She offered Farage a meeting with the head of the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC), the independent body that manages the security of public figures.<\/p>\n

Farage has repeatedly expressed concerns over his personal safety. He had a milkshake and a coffee cup thrown at him during his 2024 campaign to become an MP, and he has said that a gift of \u00a35 million ($6.7m) from a billionaire donor of Reform \u2014 over which he faces a parliamentary probe \u2014 was to pay for his protection.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tBritain\u2019s Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is surrounded by security as he walks down the steps of Milbank Tower, after he said he would quit his Parliament seat and seek reelection in London, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo\/ Thomas Krych)<\/p>\n

Police have said Widdecombe was believed to have been attacked 24 hours before her body was found at her remote home named \u201cWiddecombe\u2019s Rest\u201d in a quiet village on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.<\/p>\n

Britain\u2019s ITV television reported that its staff were messaging Widdecombe on Wednesday about a scheduled interview, with her last reply at 12.19 p.m., after which she did not respond.<\/p>\n

The politician became a household name in the 1990s, due to her socially conservative views that put her on the right of the Tories.<\/p>\n

The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported, citing neighbors, that the suspect arrested in Yorkshire had left his home in the town of Rotherham on Wednesday morning carrying a wooden stick.<\/p>\n

The Times reported that the man lived alone with his dog.<\/p>\n

He was arrested hours after police released a previous man they had detained on Friday with no further action.<\/p>\n

\t\"\"<\/a>
\n\t\tBritish MEP Ann Widdecombe gestures as she and other party members leave the European Parliament in Brussels to take the Eurostar train back to Britain, January 31, 2020. (AP Photo\/Francisco Seco)<\/p>\n

Widdecombe, a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010, was known for her Christian faith and outspoken views. She was also a supporter of Israel.<\/p>\n

In 1995, as prisons minister, she was embroiled in a row after defending a policy of chaining pregnant prisoners to prevent them from escaping.<\/p>\n

She endeared herself to the British public when she appeared in 2010 on the BBC\u2019s \u201cStrictly Come Dancing\u201d show where celebrities with no dance experience are paired with a professional partner.<\/p>\n

Her \u201cgalumphing\u201d moves, as she described her dance style, helped her survive to the show\u2019s quarter-finals, thanks to the vote from the public, who delighted in her ability to laugh at herself.<\/p>\n

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.<\/p>\n


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