Politician Ann Widdecombe was killed in a “targeted attack”, counter-terrorism police have confirmed.
Miss Widdecombe, 78, a Reform UK spokeswoman and former Brexit Party MEP was found dead in her home in Devon on Thursday.
A 28-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday in Rotherham, south Yorkshire, with counter-terrorism police taking over the investigation yesterday.
Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “It is clear that 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.
“I don’t want to comment further on that motivation or preparation at this stage of our inquiries.”
He continued to confirm the 28-year-old man from Kimberworth in Rotherham remains under arrest on suspicion of commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.
The man is also still arrested on suspicion of murder, Assistant Commissioner Taylor said.
Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her property on Thursday after sustaining ‘serious injuries’
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GETTYInvestigating officers have been granted warrant of further detention, which allows them to hold the suspect for up to seven days under the Terrorism Act, he added.
“There are multiple lines of inquiry that we are pursuing expeditiously, and that includes a number of digital forensic examinations
“It is important to remember that this is a murder investigation following a brutal attack on a 78-year-old lady in her home,” he continued.
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