Counter-terrorism police take over investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death
July 13, 2026 at 01:32 PM · Updated 96d ago
Coverage
14 reports · over 100 hours
Ann Widdecombe killing: police investigating possible leftwing motivation
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Murder of UK politician Ann Widdecombe was ‘targeted attack’, police say
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What we know about UK politician Ann Widdecombe’s murder
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Police continue to question suspect over Ann Widdecombe murder
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Newspaper headlines: 'New twist in killer hunt' and 'One of a kind Ann'
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Ann Widdecombe death: counter-terrorism police take over investigation
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Counter terrorism police take over investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death
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Police warn Widdecombe murder speculation is ‘unhelpful and distressing’
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Pugnacious, charismatic and she always answered the question - Chris Mason on Ann Widdecombe
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Police confirm 26 year-old suspect in custody in Ann Widdicombe murder investigation
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Ann Widdecombe's last public appearance on TalkTV
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Watch: 'Shocked' and 'upset' - Starmer, Badenoch and Farage respond to Widdicombe death
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Ann Widdecombe murder probe: What we know so far
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Ann Widdecombe: strictly, politics and performance
(opens the publisher’s site)Counter-terrorism police have taken over the investigation into the death of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe after new information emerged, and a suspect has been rearrested on terrorism charges.
- A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham was rearrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism after originally being arrested on suspicion of murder.
- Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said officers are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for the attack.
- Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday having sustained serious injuries.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she would update the House of Commons on the investigation later Monday.
Latest developments
In a subsequent update, Devon and Cornwall Police have clarified that the investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death is not being treated as terrorism, with no evidence of a political motive. Investigators believe Widdecombe may have been dead for over 24 hours before her body was discovered. The suspect's age has been reported as 26 by some sources, while political leaders including Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch, and Nigel Farage have expressed shock and upset over her death.