Counter-terror police investigating the death of Ann Widdecombe have re-opened an old probe into an attempted burglary last year.The incident at an address in Greater London was reported in April 2025.The Metropolitan Police and Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London investigated but no arrests were made and the case was closed pending any new lines of inquiry.Since it was re-opened, CTP London has identified a line of inquiry 'which may have been relevant' but was 'not identified and pursued by them at the time'.The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the 'conduct' of a CTP London staff member, following an allegation that the employee 'failed to identify and pursue a line of inquiry' related to the attempted burglary.Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister Miss Widdecombe was having lunch at her home when Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, allegedly burst into her bungalow, the Old Bailey heard previously.Kerry was arrested on suspicion of murder on July 11, two days after Miss Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her property in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon.He was also arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism – but he has not been charged with this offence.Senior national co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Vicki Evans, said: 'As part of the ongoing investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East into the murder of Ann Widdecombe, officers have re-opened an investigation into an incident reported to police last year.'She added: 'Given the nature of this matter and the significant public interest in the investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death, it was of critical importance for us to provide this update. 'CTP London made a 'mandatory conduct referral' to the IOPC on Friday.Ann Widdecombe was found dead, lying face down in the kitchen of her Dartmoor home (pictured) after allegedly being hit on the head 21 times with a hammer Joshua Kerry, 28, who has been charged over the death of Ann Widdecombe. Pictured taking part in a charity fundraiser to guess the number of Easter eggs in a jarAn IOPC spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that the IOPC has decided to independently investigate the conduct of a Counter Terrorism Policing London staff member following a referral received earlier today.'The conduct relates to an allegation the individual failed to identify and pursue a line of enquiry relating to an attempted burglary reported in April 2025.'Counter Terrorism Policing London has been notified of our decision, and no further information is available at this early stage.'It comes after last month a court heard how Widdecombe was bludgeoned 21 times over the head with a hammer in a 'ferocious' two-minute attack captured on camera.The 78-year-old former minister was ambushed in her own kitchen by a hammer-wielding intruder while she was having her lunch, it was said.Disturbing details of her brutal murder emerged today as her alleged killer Joshua Kerry appeared in court for the first time.The 28-year-old is alleged to have walked into the former MP's kitchen through an unlocked front door asking, 'Don't suppose you have bank cards and ID?' as he held a hammer out of sight.Prosecutors described the violence used as 'ferocious' saying Kerry struck the victim 21 times before shoving her body to the floor, rifling through her handbag for a wallet and fleeing the scene.On July 21 it emerged for the first time that the pensioner died from a 'blunt force injury to the head'.But, just hours earlier a coroner had insisted the cause of death was unascertained.Philip Spinney, senior coroner for the county of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, opened an inquest into her death at 10am declaring: 'She was found to be unresponsive with visible injuries. Counter-terror police have re-opened a probe into an attempted burglary at the London home of Ann Widdecombe last year A cordon around Ms Widdecombe's bungalow in Haytor on Dartmoor