Ann Widdecombe death treated as targeted attack by counterterrorism police

UK counterterrorism police are treating the alleged murder of former politician Ann Widdecombe as a targeted attack. Ms. Widdecombe, 78, was found dead in her home in rural southwest England late last week with "serious injuries." Police have arrested a 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham in connection with the death.

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This is a murder investigation following a brutal attack on a 78-year-old woman in her own home.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor stated that while a murder investigation is ongoing, a counterterrorism investigation is running in parallel. He clarified that the suspected murder has not been declared a terrorist incident but emphasized that officers are working to understand the motivation behind the "brutal attack." The arrested man was initially detained on suspicion of murder and has since been re-arrested on suspicion of commissioning, preparing, or instigating acts of terrorism. He remains in custody under a warrant allowing for up to seven days of questioning.

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It is clear that this was a targeted attack.

Ms. Widdecombe had a long career in British politics. She served as a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1987 to 2010 and held junior ministerial positions. Later, she joined Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and was a Member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2020. Her most recent role was as immigration spokesperson for Reform UK, the rebranded Brexit Party.

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We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation and the motivation that sits behind that attack.

Her death has intensified the debate surrounding the safety of politicians in the UK. It follows the murders of serving MPs Jo Cox in 2016 and David Amess, who was a friend of Ms. Widdecombe's, in 2021. Local police initially faced criticism for declaring her death was not politically motivated, but the counterterrorism force is now leading the complex investigation to determine the full extent of any planning, preparation, and motivation.

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It is a complex investigation. It would be wrong for me to try and ascribe either an ideology or what that motivation might be at this stage.