UK Counterterrorism Police Take Over Ann Widdecombe Probe

Police have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of murder and terrorism offenses, after initially saying there was no evidence of political motivation.

Ann Widdecombe, then-Brexit Party member and south west MEP, delivers a speech to supporters in Westminster, central London, on Oct. 18, 2019. Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images

British counterterrorism police officers are now leading ​the investigation into the suspected ‌murder of former British government minister Ann Widdecombe.

Police arrested a 28-year-old male suspect late on Saturday in the murder of the former high-profile Conservative politician and television personality, who was the current justice spokesperson for Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.

On Monday, the man was rearrested on suspicion of commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said.

“We now have new information and evidence,” said Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing. “We are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.”

Devon and Cornwall Police said the suspect was arrested in Rotherham, in the north of England, more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) from the rural village in southwest England where Widdecombe was found dead on July 9.

Police described him as a “white British man” and have said they do not believe there is any risk posed to the public.

Earlier on Saturday, police released a 26-year-old man arrested on July 10 just a few miles from the scene of the attack, saying he was no longer under investigation.

Speculation About Motive

The police initially ruled out a terrorist motive for the killing, with a spokesman for the local force saying there was no reason to believe the murder was politically motivated, amid swirling online speculation.

Mahmood posted on X on Monday, saying she had spoken to the head of the counterterrorism police that morning.

“Following new information and evidence, they are now leading on the investigation into the horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe,” the home secretary said.

“The police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack. I will be updating the House further this afternoon,” Mahmood wrote, adding that her thoughts were “with Ann’s family and friends, and all those who loved her.”

Widdecombe, 78, was well known for decades in the UK for her socially conservative views, which included opposition to gender ideology and to same-sex marriage. As a Christian Catholic convert from the Church of England, she also opposed assisted suicide and abortion.

Widdecombe was found dead on Thursday in her isolated rural home in the village of Haytor on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.

Police have not yet disclosed a cause of death, saying only that she had sustained “serious injuries.”

Detectives believe she was attacked at around 12:30 p.m. on July 8. Concerns were raised for her after she failed to appear for a scheduled TV interview on Wednesday afternoon and stopped responding to the show’s producer.

Counterterrorism officers supported local police in carrying out Saturday’s arrest.

Security has been tightened in recent years for British politicians after the murders of two serving members of Parliament in the past decade. Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a lone extremist, Thomas Mair. Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the ISIS terrorist group. Widdecombe was the godmother of Amess’s daughter.

Speaking after leaving a wreath of flowers outside Widdecombe’s home, Farage told reporters that his party’s emails had been searched for particular patterns of abuse directed at her, but nothing pointing to a particular individual had been uncovered.

Britain's European Parliament member Ann Widdecombe (R) of the Brexit Party speaks during a debate at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, on Jan. 14, 2020. AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias

Farage Warns of ‘Dangerous’ World

Farage paid tribute to his “remarkable, redoubtable” colleague and political ally, and said that for people in public life, and especially in politics, the world “is very much more dangerous than it’s ever, ever been, whatever the outcome of the motives of the killer.”

“She was the fiercest proponent of free speech that I think I'd ever met,” Farage said, adding that, “Her patriotism was deep within her.”

News of Widdecombe’s death was first reported by British media early on Friday morning, before police revealed it was suspicious. This led to an outpouring of tributes from across the political spectrum and online, although among the warm sentiments, some posts appeared to celebrate her death and criticize her views on gender ideology and same-sex marriage.

LGBT activist Peter Tatchell received backlash for an X post, now deleted, in which he criticized Widdecombe, accusing her of doing harm to “LGBTs” over a 40-year period.

He later deleted the post and said he was horrified to learn of the manner of her death.

The announcement later on Friday that her unexpected death was being treated as murder sent shockwaves through British politics and the media. Widdecombe had been a prominent voice in public life since the 1980s, known for her robust personality as well as her socially conservative views, regularly appearing as a commentator on channels including GB News in recent years.

She frequently made headlines as a member of Parliament from 1987 to 2010, serving in roles including as prisons minister in Prime Minister John Major’s 1990s Conservative government. Her forthright way with words became almost legendary when she described her former Conservative colleague Michael Howard as having “something of the night about him.”

Reality TV Appearances

After she chose to leave Parliament in 2010, Widdecombe found fame with a different audience as a contestant on the reality television shows “Strictly Come Dancing” and “Celebrity Big Brother.” She proved popular on “Strictly” due to her sense of humor rather than her dancing ability, and she ruffled feathers in the Big Brother house in 2018, clashing with a trans-identified male television presenter, India Willoughby.

A strong supporter of the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union, Widdecombe joined the Brexit Party in 2019, frustrated by the Conservative government’s inability to finalize withdrawal.

She briefly served as a member of the European Parliament before Britain finally left the European Union in 2020, when the Brexit Party was disbanded and evolved into Reform UK, which Widdecombe joined in 2023.

Over the past three years, Widdecombe had frequently appeared in the media as a spokesperson for Reform. Her final interview was on July 8 with “Talk TV” presenter Mark Dolan, during which she discussed Farge’s decision to resign as an MP and trigger a by-election in his constituency.

Police outside the house of former lawmaker Ann Widdecombe, in Haytor, England, on July 10, 2026. Matt Keeble/PA via AP

In the days since her death was announced, many friends and colleagues praised her personal kindness and good humor, which some might see as contrasting with her combative political style.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to Widdecombe as a “distinguished politician,” while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed shock at the manner of her death.

Describing Widdecombe as a “fun and fiesty woman who spoke her mind, ” but also an “elderly woman,” Badenoch said, “It was a nasty, horrific attack and my heart is breaking for her family.”

Reform shadow home secretary Zia Yousuf expressed his anger in an X post in which he referenced footage first reported by The Sun that the arrested man, who has not yet been charged, allegedly was captured on CCTV getting into his car with a pole.

‘Beloved, Elderly Matriarch’ of Reform

Referring to Widdecombe as “the beloved elderly matriarch of Reform UK,” Yousuf wrote: “The authorities offer no information, but if you ask questions, they admonish you for ’speculating.’

“Reform MPs demanding security from the state are told to shut up and be grateful that ’the police know where their house is’ and the ‘direct telephone number to the police’ to call if someone tries to murder them.”

Yousuf said that letters to the Speaker of the House of Commons from Reform MPs concerned about their safety have been ignored.

Mahmood was due to give her ministerial statement later on Monday, with MPs expected to pay further tributes to her in the House of Commons.