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UK police investigating Widdecombe death reopen old probe
🇮🇪 Ireland /Crime & Justice

UK police investigating Widdecombe death reopen old probe

From RTÉ News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • British counter-terror police have reopened an investigation into an attempted burglary from April 2025 as part of their probe into the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe.
  • The reopened inquiry focuses on a line of investigation that was not identified or pursued at the time of the original burglary case.
  • The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating a Counter Terrorism Policing London staff member for allegedly failing to pursue this line of inquiry.

Counter-terror police in Britain are reinvestigating an attempted burglary from April 2025 as part of their ongoing murder probe into former MP Ann Widdecombe.

As part of the ongoing investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East into the murder of Ann Widdecombe, officers have reopened an investigation into an incident reported to police last year.

— Vicki EvansSenior national co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Vicki Evans, announced the reopening of the investigation.

The incident at a Greater London address had been closed pending new information, but authorities have now identified a "line of inquiry which may have been relevant" that was missed during the initial investigation.

Given the nature of this matter and the significant public interest in the investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death, it was of critical importance for us to provide this update.

— Vicki EvansVicki Evans explained the importance of updating the public on the investigation.

Ann Widdecombe, 78, died on July 8 after being struck with a hammer at her home in Devon. Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with her murder on July 20.

We can confirm that the IOPC has decided to independently investigate the conduct of a Counter Terrorism Policing London staff member following a referral received earlier today.

— IOPC spokespersonAn IOPC spokesperson confirmed the decision to investigate the conduct of a staff member.

Counter Terrorism Policing London made a "mandatory conduct referral" to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regarding the missed line of inquiry. The IOPC confirmed it is independently investigating the conduct of a CTP London staff member in relation to the allegation.

The conduct relates to an allegation the individual failed to identify and pursue a line of enquiry relating to an attempted burglary reported in April 2025.

— IOPC spokespersonThe IOPC spokesperson detailed the nature of the conduct under investigation.
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Originally published by RTÉ News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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