Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAnn Widdecombe speaking during a Reform UK event (Lucy North/PA) (PA Archive)Counter-terrorism police are investigating the death of 78-year-old former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead at her Devon home on Thursday. A 28-year-old man arrested in South Yorkshire is being held on suspicion of murder and terrorism offences, with police confirming it was a "targeted attack". Detectives are probing whether the suspect was motivated by left-wing extremism or other political motives, and if he planned further violence against other high-profile figures, including those from Reform UK. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor stated that the murder and terror investigations are running "in parallel", and a TV appearance by Miss Widdecombe shortly before her death is also a line of inquiry. Incoming prime minister Andy Burnham has called for a "serious review" of MPs' security, noting that Miss Widdecombe's death follows the murders of Sir David Amess and Jo Cox. More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

Officers say decision made after ‘new information and evidence has come to light’

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleCounter-terrorism police are now leading the…

Counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe, after 'new information and evidence has come to light'

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

Former Conservative minister was found dead at her home last week after sustaining serious injuries

Ann Widdecombe, 78, was found dead last week in her isolated rural home. The news sent shock waves through British politics, where Widdecombe had been a prominent voice for…

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleCounter-terrorism police are now leading the…

The home secretary has said the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe raises "questions about the security of those in public life".

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleCounter-terrorism police are now leading the…

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe suspected murder of veteran politician…

Counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death after new evidence came to light

Counterterror police say former politician and reality TV contestant Ann Widdecombe was the victim of a "targeted attack."

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

White British man (28) arrested in Yorkshire on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleVeteran politician Ann Widdecombe, 78, was…

Counter-terrorism police say that they are still working to establish the motive for the killing of the former government minister

Investigators are looking into what motivated the killing and how much preparation was involved.

Detectives examining whether hatred of Widdecombe’s strong views or of Reform party were factors in killing described as a ‘targeted attack’

Counterterrorism officers have taken over the investigation and are still working to determine the motive for her killing.