Counter terrorism officers are investigating the death of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe as a suspected targeted attack, with police saying they are still working to determine the motive behind the killing.
Widdecombe, who went on to join the Brexit Party and Reform UK after being in the Conservative Party, was found dead at her bungalow in Haytor, Devon, on July 9 after suffering serious injuries. Police believe she was killed about 24 hours before she was discovered. A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder was rearrested in connection to the crime on preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism after new information was uncovered during the investigation.
Laurence Taylor, head of counter terrorism policing, said officers are continuing searches and examining evidence linked to the case. “It is clear this was a targeted attack. We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack," he said according to The Telegraph.
Devon and Cornwall Police previously said there was no information suggesting the killing was politically motivated or terrorism-related. The force later handed the investigation to counter terror police after “new information or evidence” emerged and it has since been reported that the unnamed male suspect, 28, had Russian communist literature at his home.
Taylor said police had received permission to hold the suspect for up to seven additional days under the Terrorism Act while questioning continues.
“We’ve also been granted a warrant of further detention, which means the suspect can now be held for questioning for up to seven days under the Terrorism Act," officials said. He added that investigators were pursuing several lines of inquiry, including digital forensic examinations.
“This is a complex investigation. There are multiple lines of inquiry that we are pursuing expeditiously, and that includes a number of digital forensic examinations.”
Widdecombe, who went on to join the Brexit Party and Reform UK after being in the Conservative Party, was found dead at her bungalow in Haytor, Devon, on July 9 after suffering serious injuries. Police believe she was killed about 24 hours before she was discovered. A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder was rearrested in connection to the crime on preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism after new information was uncovered during the investigation.
Laurence Taylor, head of counter terrorism policing, said officers are continuing searches and examining evidence linked to the case. “It is clear this was a targeted attack. We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack," he said according to The Telegraph.
Devon and Cornwall Police previously said there was no information suggesting the killing was politically motivated or terrorism-related. The force later handed the investigation to counter terror police after “new information or evidence” emerged and it has since been reported that the unnamed male suspect, 28, had Russian communist literature at his home.
Taylor said police had received permission to hold the suspect for up to seven additional days under the Terrorism Act while questioning continues.
“We’ve also been granted a warrant of further detention, which means the suspect can now be held for questioning for up to seven days under the Terrorism Act," officials said. He added that investigators were pursuing several lines of inquiry, including digital forensic examinations.
“This is a complex investigation. There are multiple lines of inquiry that we are pursuing expeditiously, and that includes a number of digital forensic examinations.”
