The police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe is examining whether a leftwing or single-issue cause may lie behind her killing, the Guardian has learned.<\/p>\n
Among issues detectives are investigating are whether a hatred of Widdecombe\u2019s strong views, such as on homosexuality, was a factor. They are also examining whether extreme hostility to the Reform UK party played a role.<\/p>\n
Counter-terrorism police (CTP) took over the investigation on Monday from the local Devon and Cornwall force, and rearrested the suspect on terrorism charges.<\/p>\n
CTP assumed control after searches at the suspect\u2019s home and other information gained after his arrest led detectives to believe a possible political motivation warranted further investigation.<\/p>\n
The news comes as counter-terrorism police said on Tuesday that Widdecombe was killed in a \u201ctargeted attack\u201d.<\/p>\n
Investigators are considering whether leftwing, anarchist and single-issue terrorism (LASIT) played a role in the suspect\u2019s alleged motivation, but are keeping an open mind as new material emerges.<\/p>\n
Whether those views led to the attack, and whether they could be evidenced, are key parts of the investigation.<\/p>\n
Sources stress the investigation is at an early stage, and warn that initial assumptions can change as inquiries progress.<\/p>\n
The \u200bi\u200bnquiry is also \u200bl\u200booking into the\u200b suspect\u2019s history of mental health and neurodivergence.<\/p>\n
At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, the head of counter-terrorism policing, assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor, said: \u201cWe are working to understand the planning and preparation and the motivation that sits behind the attack.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said he would not comment on whether the suspected murder was an attack on Reform UK, adding: \u201cI don\u2019t want to rule out anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked whether other figures associated with the party could have been targeted by the suspect, he said: \u201cThat will form a line of investigation to ensure that we are putting all appropriate measures in place to mitigate any threat, should it become apparent. I\u2019m not saying there is or there isn\u2019t at this stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working through what the motivation for the attack currently is,\u201d he said. And he said that officers had been granted seven additional days to question the suspect.<\/p>\n
A 28-year-old man from Rotherham was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of the murder of Widdecombe, formerly a senior Conservative and then Reform spokesperson, in her Devon home.<\/p>\n
The question of whether a TV appearance might have motivated the killing is a \u201cline of inquiry\u201d, Taylor said. Widdecombe. 78, had appeared on TalkTV on Wednesday morning. Police believe she was attacked at about 12.30pm on the same day at her home outside Haytor Vale, a village on the edge of Dartmoor.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Tuesday, Reform UK\u2019s Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick criticised the government for not offering Nigel Farage a security meeting earlier, saying it had only happened \u201cas a result\u201d of Widdecombe\u2019s death.<\/p>\n