Ann Widdecombe 'killed in targeted attack' as counter-terrorism police issue update

Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative MP and MEP, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon on Thursday, July 9. Counter-terrorism police have confirmed her death was a targeted attack.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said investigators are working to understand the planning, preparation and motivation. "It is clear that this was a targeted attack," he said. "We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation and the motivation that sits behind that attack."

A 28-year-old white British man arrested in South Yorkshire on Saturday remains in custody on suspicion of commission preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism and murder. Detectives obtained a warrant of further detention and can hold him for up to seven days under the Terrorism Act.

The murder and counter-terrorism investigations are running in parallel. Police are examining multiple lines of inquiry including whether the suspect was motivated by left-wing extremism and whether he was targeting Reform UK figures. "I don't want to rule out anything," Taylor stated.

Miss Widdecombe appeared on Talk TV with Mark Dolan via video-link shortly after 8am on Wednesday. Police believe she was attacked at approximately 12.30pm the same day. She was due to appear on Channel 5's Matt Allwright show later that afternoon. Investigators are examining whether this television appearance may have motivated the killing.

Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham called for a serious review of MPs' security. "It's obviously appalling what happened to Ann," he said, adding "But it feels as though something has changed. It's easy to blame social media but it feels like it's having some impact in building that kind of toxicity around the political debate."

The death follows the killings of Conservative MP Sir David Amess in 2021 and Labour's Jo Cox in 2016.