{"id":365830,"date":"2026-07-13T22:12:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T16:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=365830"},"modified":"2026-07-13T22:12:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T16:42:09","slug":"u-k-counterterrorism-police-take-over-former-mp-ann-widdecombe-death-probe-national","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/13\/u-k-counterterrorism-police-take-over-former-mp-ann-widdecombe-death-probe-national\/","title":{"rendered":"U.K. counterterrorism police take over former MP Ann Widdecombe death probe – National"},"content":{"rendered":"

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An investigation into the suspected killing of former British politician Ann Widdecombe is now being led by U.K. counterterrorism police, investigators said, days after announcing there was no evidence to suggest it was an act of terror.<\/p>\n

A 28-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder<\/a> after Widdecombe, 78, was found dead inside her home in an isolated village in Devon, southwest England, on Thursday, was re-arrested on suspicion of\u202fcommission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, Counter Terrorism Policing South East said in an update Monday, in response to The Associated Press.<\/p>\n

The suspect was first arrested on Saturday in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, two days after Widdecombe\u2019s body was discovered. Rotherham is greater than 320 kilometres from the previous MP\u2019s rural home.<\/p>\n

The suspect has not been named because he has not been charged.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tFlowers are seen outside the home of Ann Widdecombe on July 11, 2026, in Dartmoor, U.K. The previous Conservative minister and MP for Maidstone and The Weald was found dead at her home on Thursday morning. She had reportedly sustained serious head injuries.\t\t\t\t<\/span>
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\t\t\t\t\tFinnbarr Webster\/Getty Images)\t\t\t\t<\/cite>
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Devon and Cornwall police initially said her death was not believed to be terror-related, saying there was no evidence to suggest it was politically motivated, but on Monday, it was announced that counterterrorism police were taking up the investigation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to ascertain the motivation for this attack,\u201d head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said in a press release to British media.<\/p>\n

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Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood wrote on X<\/a> on Monday that she had spoken with the pinnacle of counterterrorism police and that it was within the strategy of establishing the motivation for the \u201cattack\u201d on Widdecombe.<\/p>\n

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This morning I even have spoken to the pinnacle of @TerrorismPolice<\/a>. Following recent information and evidence, they are actually leading on the investigation into the horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe.<\/p>\n

The police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to ascertain the motivation for this\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) July 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWe’re pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to ascertain the motivation for this attack. Our priority is progressing this investigation quickly, with all of the capabilities we’ve available to us. If anyone has any information, please share it with the police,\u201d Taylor said.<\/p>\n

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement Friday<\/a> that the whole country was \u201cutterly shocked\u201d by the circumstances of Widdecombe\u2019s death and urged people to \u201ccome together\u201d across party lines.<\/p>\n

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The entire country might be utterly shocked by the awful news concerning the circumstances of Ann Widdecombe\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

Today we come together across the political divide and I pay tribute to Ann\u2019s dedication during her a few years of public service.<\/p>\n

My thoughts and deepest condolences\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/hXps6A9s78<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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