Man Arrested in Rotherham for Ann Widdecombe Murder
Investigation Continues into Death at Dartmoor Home; Police Rule Out Political Motive
Sarah Connor
A 28-year-old man faces arrest in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.
Police discovered Ms. Widdecombe's body at approximately 11:40 am on Thursday, July 9, responding to a call at her remote Haytor residence.
Counter Terrorism Policing assumed control of the investigation following the initial arrest of a 28-year-old man from Rotherham on suspicion of murder.
The suspect remains in custody, allowing police to hold him without charge for up to 14 days under the Terrorism Act.
Devon and Cornwall Police maintain they do not believe the murder was politically motivated or terrorism-related, despite the re-arrest.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the suspect is not known to the Prevent anti-extremism programme, a key detail in the ongoing inquiry.
Investigators believe Ms. Widdecombe suffered serious head injuries, attacked nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered.
Her last text message was sent at 12:19 pm on Wednesday; she did not respond to a Zoom link dispatched at 12:48 pm that same day.
Detectives pinpoint the attack on the veteran politician to approximately 12:30 pm on Wednesday, establishing a critical timeline.
CCTV footage shows the suspect leaving a Rotherham address with a large baton-like object before driving off in a red car on Wednesday morning.
The suspect travelled some 267 miles to Ms. Widdecombe's remote property, a significant journey preceding the incident.
Neighbours described the suspect as a recluse, becoming more introverted after his father's death and rarely leaving his home.
He had barely spoken to anyone since his father died.
Rayed Astle, a neighbour, stated the suspect had barely spoken to anyone since his father died, painting a picture of isolation.
Another neighbour, Courtney Foster, claimed the suspect was always in the house and did not appear to work, reinforcing observations of his reclusive lifestyle.
Kingsley Whybrow observed the suspect's red Corsa had started to rust with vegetation growing on it, suggesting it rarely moved from its spot.
A 28-year-old former classmate described the suspect as 'proper kind, funny and lovely at school,' calling him the last person one would expect to do something like this.
The death occurred a week after a re-broadcast of a Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House episode, which featured a tour of her bungalow on Discovery+ on Thursday, July 2.
During the show, Ann Widdecombe sold items from her home, including a Japanese plate, for a total of £1,445.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for the attack.
A previous arrest of a 26-year-old man resulted in his release without charge; he is no longer considered a suspect in the case.
The incident prompted police to issue new safety guidance to MPs and consider similar guidance for former MPs.
A review of MP safety was commissioned following the murder of Sir David Amess, underscoring ongoing vulnerabilities faced by those in public life.
Nigel Farage publicly stated his belief that her death was 'premeditated murder' and not 'a burglary that went wrong,' offering a strong opinion on the nature of the crime.
Her death was premeditated murder and not a burglary that went wrong.
Farage claimed a car appeared on her drive at around 12:25 pm on Wednesday, providing a specific detail to the timeline of events.
He has been offered a meeting with the head of Ravec (Royal and VIP Executive Committee) concerning the safety of Reform UK MPs.
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's home affairs spokesman, claimed Sir Lindsay, the Government, and the police did not 'care at all about the security of Reform MPs,' expressing significant concern.
Peter Bleksley, a commentator on police investigations, anticipated a significant announcement regarding the case, possibly an extension of custody or release conditions.
Bleksley emphasized that forensic evidence is highly likely to be a key factor linking the suspect to the crime, pointing to the scientific backbone of the investigation.
The suspect's mother, a former teaching assistant, relocated to Devon, according to Claire Whybrow, a neighbour, adding a personal detail to the suspect's background.