Police reveal man, 28, arrested over Ann Widdecombe ‘murder’ is from Rotherham and counter-terrorism cops were involved in raid as officers say attack was not politically-motivated

Police have revealed a 28-year-old man arrested over the alleged murder of former minister Ann Widdecombe was from Rotherham.

Speaking at a press conference today, detectives confirmed the attack was ‘not politically motivated’ – despite counter-terrorism officers being involved in the raid.

The former MP and MEP was found dead by her gardener at her cottage in Haytor, Devon on Thursday morning.

Officers detained the white British man on Saturday and he remains in custody.

Detectives said earlier the case is ‘moving at significant pace’ and ‘our priority remains identifying those responsible’ for Ms Widdecombe’s death.

Offiers at Devon and Cornwall Police had initially arrested a 26-year-old man – but he was released yesterday morning and is said to no longer form part of the investigation.

Speaking this morning, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said there was no information to suggest the incident was terror-related but officers remain ‘open-minded’ about the motive.

He added that police were not looking for anyone else in connection with the alleged murder. 

This is despite reports earlier today the force had been hunting the driver of a ‘suspicious car’ seen near Ms Widdecombe’s home in Haytor.

A manager of a garage in Haytor said he had alerted the force after his colleague noticed ‘something out of the ordinary’ at around 9am on Wednesday, with a dark VW Gold Mk4 reportedly parked in a ‘strange place’.

He said: ‘[The Golf] was at the top of the lane near Ann’s place. If it was a local they would have parked in the car park or one of the lay-bys.

‘He was doing up his walking boots. He was in his late 20s, maybe early 30s. He was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I remember thinking “Why is he parked there?” He was halfway out the lay-by.

‘It didn’t look like he fitted in. You don’t see many late 20s, early 30s men around here. He was heading up in that direction [of Ann’s house].’

Police asked the garage to provide CCTV of the vehicle but they did not have any, it is understood. 

Detectives believe Ms Widdecombe was attacked at around 12.30pm on Wednesday, just half an hour before she was due to appear on TV.

The body of the 78-year-old Conservative-turned-Reform politician was found in a pool of blood in her kitchen a little less than 24 hours later. An ambulance crew alerted police at 11.40am.

An earlier statement released by Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area this evening (July 11) on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. 

‘The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody.

‘Ms Widdecombe’s family have been informed of this development.

‘We were supported by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police who carried out the arrest on behalf of Devon & Cornwall Police.

‘At this time, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident and as a force we retain primacy of the investigation.’

A researcher on the Channel 5 show had spoken to Ms Widdecombe on the phone earlier in the afternoon to set up the interview.

After the call, the researcher exchanged messages with Ms Widdecombe, with her last message received at 12.19pm. 

The researcher then messaged again at 12.48pm requesting that Ms Widdecombe join the Zoom link in preparation for the remote interview, but she did not reply.

Subsequent voice calls and messages asking if everything was alright went unanswered. Concerns were raised by the show’s research team about the uncharacteristic lack of response from Ms Widdecombe, who was a regular on the show.

They contacted her agent later on Wednesday and followed up again on Thursday.

Despite calls not to speculate, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage made a series of controversial comments as he arrived outside Ms Widdecombe’s home on Saturday and laid a floral tribute.

He claimed the attack on the Reform justice spokesman was ‘premeditated’ and a car arrived at her house minutes before police believe she was attacked – details not confirmed by detectives.

Mr Farage said on Saturday: ‘One theory doing the rounds is that it was a burglary gone wrong. But a car went onto the drive at approximately 12.25pm on Wednesday.

‘If you were a burglar, would you literally drive your car onto someone’s drive? From what I can see of it, from what I make out, this was premeditated murder.

‘Whether it was politically motivated, whether it was someone with a grudge. I don’t think it pays at this time to speculate.’

A highly placed source told the MoS that Miss Widdecombe’s family ‘don’t want her death hijacked for political purposes’, adding that they ‘are very uneasy’ about Mr Farage being at the scene.

When asked what message he has for her killer, Mr Farage said: ‘There are no words that I can utter that somebody who’s committed this act of barbarity against an innocent 78-year-old lady who wouldn’t harm a fly.

‘I just hope that the killer is caught as quickly as possible and brought to justice, that’s all I can say.

‘Even though we don’t know what the motive is, in a town there is so much ANPR and CCTV that generally these days people are caught pretty quick, but look around you.’

 

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