British counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the suspected murder of former UK lawmaker Ann Widdecombe “following new information and evidence,” UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Monday.

British police said they had launched a murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe, a 78-year-old former government minister whose death was announced earlier on Friday.

Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood confirmed on Monday that there were reasons to believe there was a terrorist motive to the alleged crime.