Counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe, after “new information and evidence”, officers have said.
A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was originally arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday but has now been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
“We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack,” head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said.
On Thursday 78-year-old Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and later Reform spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, having sustained serious injuries.
Her death sparked a manhunt resulting in the suspect’s arrest at about 21:00 on Saturday.
Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said new information “has come to light during what has been a dynamic and complex investigation”.
Taylor said the new arrest builds on “the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police”.
“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 added.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she would be updating the House of Commons about the police’s investigation later on Monday afternoon.
“My thoughts today remain with Ann’s family and friends, and all those who loved her,” she said in a post on X.
The announcement comes after the suspect in the investigation was seen in CCTV footage appearing to get into a car in Yorkshire, hours before the former Conservative minister is thought to have been attacked in her home in Devon.
The man, dressed in a white shirt and shorts, can be seen getting into a red vehicle outside a house in Rotherham with a long object appearing to protrude from his shorts pocket, in footage time-stamped at 07:51 on Wednesday, first reported by the Sun.
The distance between Widdecombe’s home and Rotherham, where the 28-year-old was arrested, is about 270 miles (430km) – about a four-and-a-half-hour drive.
At least two police vehicles were seen parked outside a property in Rotherham believed to be connected to the investigation on Sunday, which was cordoned off while officers and forensic teams worked at the scene.
Speaking to BBC News on the same day, one neighbour said: “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 neighbour said police took a red car off the drive.
Earlier on Sunday Devon and Cornwall Police had said there was “nothing to suggest” the murder was politically motivated.
Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Matt Longman had said officers remained “open-minded” about a potential motive and that there was not thought to be any threat to the wider public.
Devon and Cornwall Police previously said it believed Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday at about 12:30 and had since received more than 120 reports of information after making a public appeal.
Over the coming weeks there would remain a “heightened” police presence in the local area, ACC Longman added.
Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years, holding ministerial roles in Sir John Major’s government between 1994 and 1997.
Following her departure from the Commons in 2010, Widdecombe appeared on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing that year, and was a runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother eight years later.
She joined the Brexit Party in 2019, where she represented South West England as its MEP from 2019 to 2020.
On Sunday, about 40 mourners gathered in Haytor Vale to pay tribute to Widdecombe, including senior Reform figures.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said he had spoken to Widdecombe last Monday and he “nearly fell over with shock and horror” when he heard of her death.
“We have lost an absolute colossus, a legend in all our lifetime,” he told the crowd.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute to Widdecombe last week, describing her death as a “significant loss” as he called on people to “rise above” political differences.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described Widdecombe as a “very fun and feisty woman”, adding her “heart is breaking for [Widdecombe’s] family”.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who visited Dartmoor to pay his respects to the 78 year old, described her as a “remarkable individual” and “the fiercest defender of free speech”.
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