The killing of former British politician Ann Widdecombe is now being investigated as a terrorist act, Counter Terrorism Policing South East announced Monday.
A 28-year-old man, who was initially in custody on suspicion of murder, was rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Devon and Cornwall Police had previously stated that the killing was not believed to be terror-related and showed no immediate signs of political motivation. However, new information and evidence prompted Counter Terrorism Policing to assume leadership of the investigation.
"We are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the motivation for this attack," stated Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing.
Widdecombe, 78, a former member of Parliament, was found dead last week in her rural home in southwest England. Police have not disclosed the cause of death but confirmed she sustained serious injuries. The death has sent shockwaves through British political circles, where Widdecombe was known for her strong social conservative views on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights.
The suspect, whose name has not been released as he has not been charged, was arrested Saturday in South Yorkshire. This is more than 200 miles from Haytor, the village where Widdecombe was discovered.
Authorities believe the attack occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Concerns were first raised after Widdecombe missed a scheduled television interview that afternoon.
Widdecombe served as a lawmaker in the House of Commons from 1987 to 2010, including a stint as prisons minister in Prime Minister John Major’s government. After leaving Parliament, she gained public recognition through appearances on reality television shows like "Strictly Come Dancing" and "Celebrity Big Brother."
She later joined the Brexit Party, briefly serving in the European Parliament before Britain's withdrawal from the European Union. More recently, she became associated with the anti-immigration Reform UK party, frequently appearing in media as a spokesperson. Friends and colleagues often described her as having a pugnacious public persona balanced by personal kindness and humor.