Updated July 13, 2026 — 11:41pm,first published 3:45pmLondon: British counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into the alleged murder of former cabinet minister Ann Widdecombe after new evidence emerged into her death last Wednesday in her home in southern England.The former MP, who was a Conservative Party minister before shifting to the Brexit Party and later Reform UK, was found dead at her home in Devon hours before she was due to appear on a television talk show to discuss British politics.Ann Widdecombe in 2024. She was a Tory MP from 1987 to 2010 and held several ministerial positions in John Major’s government.BloombergHome Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood confirmed on Monday in London (about 10pm, AEST) that there were reasons to believe there was a terrorist motive to the alleged crime, and said she had spoken to the head of Counter Terrorism Policing.“Following new information and evidence, they are now leading on the investigation into the horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe,” she said.“The police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.”Mahmood said she would update the House of Commons on the investigation later in the day.Police officers outside Widdecombe’s house in south-west England on Saturday.GettyAs a conservative politician with strong Christian beliefs, Widdecombe was widely admired in British public life, but she was also the subject of fierce criticism. Her alleged murder has heightened concerns about politicians being targeted, following the murder of two MPs over the past decade.Police arrested a 28-year-old white British man in South Yorkshire on suspicion of her murder and have said they were not looking for any other suspect. Earlier, they detained but later released a 26-year man.The head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said the police had “new information and evidence” that meant his group would lead the investigation.“We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack,” he said.“Our priority is progressing this investigation quickly, with all the capabilities we have available to us. If anyone has any information, please share it with the police.“We continue to appeal for anyone who may have any information that could help our investigation to get in touch.”The suspect was rearrested ​on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, the ‌BBC ⁠reported, citing the police.The 28-year-old man allegedly drove nearly 480 kilometres to Widdecombe’s home after he was seen by neighbours getting into his car with a “wooden pole”, London’s The Telegraph reported.Footage of his arrest, sourced from closed-circuit television and published by The Sun, showed police in balaclavas entering the property.On Sunday, the Devon and Cornwall Police said there was no suggestion “at this stage” that the alleged murder was politically motivated.The shift in the investigation is a dramatic development, but the police did not elaborate on the new evidence that led to the counter-terrorism investigators being placed in charge.A man lays flowers outside Widdecombe’s house on Saturday.Getty ImagesConservative MP David Amess was fatally stabbed in October 2021 and his murder was treated as a terrorist incident. The killer, Ali Harbi Ali, a British citizen of Somali descent, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.Labour MP Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed in West Yorkshire in June 2016 by far-right extremist Thomas Mair. This was also treated as a terrorist attack, and the murderer was sentenced to life in prison.Widdecombe was known ⁠for her socially conservative views, first as a junior minister in the Conservative government led by Prime Minister John ​Major from 1992 to 1997.After shifting to the Brexit Party, she joined Reform in recent years and was immigration ​and ⁠justice spokesperson for the party, led by Nigel Farage.She converted to Catholicism partly in protest at the Church of England’s ordination of ⁠women ​as priests and was opposed to ​abortion and to equalising the age of consent for homosexual and heterosexual relationships.With ReutersGet a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.David Crowe is Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.From our partners