Anti-terror investigators take over Ann Widdecombe case after arrest of 28-year-old

What is known so far

On Saturday, a 28-year-old Briton was arrested on suspicion of murder in Yorkshire, several hundred kilometres from the crime scene. Following the arrest, "new information and evidence" had come to light, investigators said. The anti-terror police then took over the case, Devon and Cornwall Police said on Monday.

The suspect is now also being investigated for "suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of terrorist acts," police said. At the same time, investigators stressed they were pursuing "several lines of inquiry to clarify the motive for this attack." According to the information, the suspect is a Briton.

The head of the anti-terror police, Laurence Taylor, said investigators were pursuing "several lines of inquiry to clarify the motive." In doing so, he confirmed that the anti-terror unit has taken the lead role in the case. No explanation for the classification as a possible terrorist act was initially made public.

Political reactions and the role of the investigators

British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood wrote on the platform X that, following new information and evidence, the anti-terror police were now leading the investigation into the "horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe." The case thus also received the highest level of political attention. The government expressed its dismay at the death of the long-serving parliamentarian.

Widdecombe served as a Conservative, or Tory, MP in the British Parliament from 1987 to 2010. She campaigned for Britain's exit from the EU and in 2019 joined the right-wing populist party Reform UK, which was later led by Nigel Farage. She was also known to the British public through appearances on entertainment television, including the dance show "Strictly Come Dancing" and "Celebrity Big Brother."

Background: Who was Ann Widdecombe?

With her often sharp rhetoric and her appearances on reality shows, Widdecombe polarised opinion for decades. As a Brexit supporter and member of Reform UK, she consistently championed conservative positions. Her death in the rural seclusion of Dartmoor triggered dismay across party lines.

Investigators are now examining whether the suspect acted alone or whether a network could be behind the killing. Yorkshire, the location of the arrest, lies far from the crime scene in Devon, raising questions about the suspect's travel routes. Police announced further investigative steps.

A spokesperson for the anti-terror police pointed out that the takeover of the investigation did not necessarily mean the act would ultimately be classified as terrorism. They were following the leads and would inform the public of any significant developments. Residents of the Dartmoor area were urged to remain vigilant, without any specific threat being named.