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Ann Widdecombe killed in 'targeted attack', UK police say
🇮🇪 Ireland /Crime & Justice

Ann Widdecombe killed in 'targeted attack', UK police say

From RTÉ News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and MEP, was killed in a "targeted attack," according to UK counter-terrorism police.
  • Police have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of murder and terrorism-related offenses, and he is being held for further questioning.
  • While the murder and terror investigations are running in parallel, police are still working to understand the motivation and extent of planning behind the attack.

Veteran politician Ann Widdecombe was killed in a "targeted attack," UK counter-terrorism police announced Tuesday, leading the investigation into her death.

It is clear that this was a targeted attack.

— Assistant Commissioner Laurence TaylorSpeaking to reporters about the investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death.

Widdecombe, 78, a former Conservative Member of Parliament and later a Member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party, was found dead at her home in Devon last Thursday. Counter-terrorism police took over the case after new evidence emerged, though a senior officer stressed that murder and terror investigations are proceeding "in parallel."

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, stated, "It is clear that this was a targeted attack." He added that authorities are still working to determine the extent of any planning and the motivation behind it. "I wouldn’t want to comment on what that motivation was," Taylor told reporters.

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

— Assistant Commissioner Laurence TaylorAddressing the ongoing investigation into the targeted attack on Ann Widdecombe.

A 28-year-old British man remains in custody on suspicion of murder and acts of terrorism. Police have secured a warrant to detain him for up to seven days for further questioning under the Terrorism Act. "There are multiple lines of inquiry that we are pursuing expeditiously, and that includes a number of digital forensic examinations," Taylor said. "It is important to remember that this is a murder investigation following a brutal attack on a 78-year-old lady in her home."

The two investigations are running in parallel.

— Assistant Commissioner Laurence TaylorExplaining the status of the murder and terror investigations.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed to the House of Commons that the suspect was not known to the government's anti-extremism program Prevent. Footage circulating online appears to show the arrest of a man in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Police believe Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday afternoon, shortly before she was scheduled to appear on a television show. Her body was discovered with serious injuries at her remote bungalow.

It is important to remember that this is a murder investigation following a brutal attack on a 78-year-old lady in her home.

— Assistant Commissioner Laurence TaylorEmphasizing the nature of the investigation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RTÉ News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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