Ann Widdecombe murder latest: Ex-MP killed in targeted attack, counterterror police say

Asked about Devon and Cornwall Police’s involvement, Assistant Commissioner Taylor said: “We have been consulted throughout the investigation but investigations such as this are complex.

“As a result of these investigations, it was deemed appropriate for CTP to take over the investigation after the arrest.”

He added: “We have a complex ongoing investigation. We are not prepared to comment and will see where the evidence takes us.”

AC Taylor said the counter-terrorism police investigation was “to understand the nature of the targeting” of Ms Widdecombe.

“I won’t go into detail about individuals’ backgrounds but that forms part of our investigation,” he added.

He said the murder was not declared a terrorist incident, but they were investigating terrorist crimes.

Asked whether investigators were looking at whether the attack was against the Reform Party and how long it had been planned, Deputy Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We are working on what the motivation for this attack was.”

He said there were some questions and they did not want to comment at this stage.

“We are aware that there is some preparation and planning in terms of planning. I do not want to go into the details of the scope at this stage,” he said.

He added: “Clearly part of our responsibility when investigating these types of crimes is to establish a threat and take action to mitigate any threat if it is obvious.”

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said Ms Widdecombe’s murder had a deeply distressing impact on her family and police were doing everything they could to support them.

He said the Southeastern Counter-Terrorism Police was conducting the investigation after new information and evidence emerged following the arrest of a 28-year-old man.

Asked whether the suspect was still in Devon or London, Deputy Commissioner Taylor said: “We have no comment. He is in the custody of CT police.”

Police investigating Ms Widdecombe’s murder said it was clear it was a targeted attack.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said: “We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparations and the motivation behind this attack. I do not wish to comment further on this matter at this stage.”

He said they carried out extensive searches at an address in Rotherham.

Following the death of Ann Widdecombe, Nigel Farage suggested that Reform UK MPs were vulnerable and needed greater protection.

i Paper reports that Mr Farage has been offered a security package including bodyguards, a car and a trained driver similar to that offered to Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch last year.

However, it was reported that he turned it down because he saw it as a lowering of the grade he had previously received.

Mr Jenrick told Today: “He was given a comprehensive plan at the outset and I think it was proportionate to the threat he faced. “I traveled with Nigel across the country and saw the dangers he faced every day.

“Then it was downgraded.

“I don’t know why. Maybe that will be explained to Nigel when he meets the committee.”

He added: “I think politics comes into it because the Government and some of the media seem very, very blasé about the security of the Reformation.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “Robert Jenrick’s comments are simply untrue.

“Neither the Minister of Internal Affairs nor the ministers are involved in ensuring the security of the MPs.

“The responsibility for the protective security measures of MPs belongs to the GNAT Security Department.

“Nigel Farage has been offered a meeting with the chairman of Ravec, the independent presidential committee that oversees the safety of people in public life.”

Devon and Cornwall police and crime commissioner has defended his power against criticism after counter-terrorism officers were deployed to take over the Ann Widdecombe murder investigation.

Counter-terrorism officers took over the investigation on Monday after the former MP’s body was found at his Dartmoor home on Thursday.

The force has faced severe criticism for its initial handling of the investigation, and five days after more senior and experienced counter-terrorism officers took over from local detectives.

Defending her power, Alison Hernandez said: “As the police and crime commissioner, I personally met with the head of the counter-terrorism unit, Laurence Taylor, to thank him for the resources he had initially made available and asked for assurances that the investigation had been handed over smoothly.

“There was some comment made about the way Devon and Cornwall police communicated in the early stages of this case, but as the home secretary said yesterday, it is not unusual for a fast-paced investigation to see more information come to light that changes the nature or character of what the police are dealing with.

“I have been regularly briefed by the Chief Constable since the start of this investigation and I am confident that Devon and Cornwall Police provided a significant and professional response to the death of Ann Widdecombe. “I am particularly grateful to those citizens who provided information and assisted officers in progressing the investigation.

“My thoughts are with Ann’s family and friends. I have been moved by the stories I have heard from those who lived close to her on Dartmoor. Whatever you think of her politics, Ann was an extremely likable character.”

He added: “I have been reassured that officers and staff will return to business as usual over the coming days, which are expected to be particularly busy with the final two legs of the World Cup and the start of the school holidays.”