Ann Widdecombe killing: police investigating possible leftwing motivation | UK news
According to information obtained by the Guardian, the police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe is investigating whether there was a left-wing motive behind her murder or a single issue.
Among the issues detectives are investigating is whether hatred of Widdecombe’s strong views, such as homosexuality, was a factor. They also examine whether extreme hostility towards the UK Reform Party also played a role.
Counter-terrorism police (CTP) took over the investigation from local Devon and Cornwall police on Monday and re-arrested the man on terrorism charges.
CTP took control following searches of the suspect’s home, and further information obtained following the suspect’s arrest led detectives to believe a possible political motive warranted further investigation.
The news comes after counter-terrorism police said on Tuesday that Widdecombe had been killed in a “targeted attack”.
Investigators are evaluating whether leftist, anarchist and single-issue terrorism (LASIT) played a role in the suspect’s alleged motivation, but we keep an open mind as new materials emerge.
Whether these views led to the attack and whether they can be proven are important parts of the investigation.
Sources emphasize that the investigation is at an early stage and warn that initial assumptions may change as the investigation progresses.
The investigation is also looking at the suspect’s mental health and neurodivergence history.
Counter-Terrorism Police Chief and Deputy Commissioner Laurence Taylor told a press conference on Tuesday afternoon: “We are trying to understand the planning, preparation and motivation behind the attack.”
He said he would not comment on whether the suspected murder was an attack on Reformation England, adding: “I don’t want to rule anything out.”
Asked whether other figures linked to the party could be targeted by the suspect, he said: “This will create a line of investigation to ensure that if any threat arises, we take all necessary measures to mitigate it. I’m not saying yes or no at this stage.”
“We are currently working on what the motivation for the attack was,” he said, adding that police officers were given seven more days to question the suspect.
A 28-year-old man from Rotherham was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of the murder of Widdecombe, formerly the senior Conservative Party and then Reform spokesman, at his home in Devon.
Taylor said the question of whether appearing on television led to murder was a “line of inquiry.” Widdecombe. 78 appeared on Talk TV on Wednesday morning. Police believe he was attacked at his home outside the village of Haytor Vale, on the edge of Dartmoor, at around 12.30pm the same day.
Devon and Cornwall police and crime commissioner on Tuesday defended his force against criticism over the conduct of the investigation and the time it took for counter-terrorism officers to take charge.
Alison Hernandez said: “It is not uncommon in a fast-moving investigation for more information to come to light that changes the nature or character of what the police are dealing with.
“I am confident that Devon and Cornwall Police provided a significant and professional response to the death of Ann Widdecombe.”
The suspect is thought to have driven approximately 270 miles from Rotherham to Widdecombe’s home, beaten him to a point where he suffered catastrophic injuries, and then returned to South Yorkshire.
The man is believed to have acted alone and police said no one else was being sought.
According to the force’s initial investigations, the suspect is not thought to be known to South Yorkshire police and was not on the radar of the government’s counter-terrorism prevention plan.
While the murder is being investigated by counter-terrorism police, it has not been officially designated as a terrorist attack. This is a decision taken by the senior national coordinator responsible for counter-terrorism.
