Police ‘considering left-wing motive’ in Ann Widdecombe murder probe
A man arrested in Rotherham is continuing to be questioned over the 78-year-old's death
Counter-terrorism police are probing whether the suspect held over Ann Widdecombe’s killing in Devon was motivated by left-wing extremism and had been plotting violence against other high-profile figures.
Detectives confirmed Miss Widdecombe’s death was a “targeted attack”, and said whether the suspect in the alleged murder was targeting Reform UK figures will be a “line of investigation”.
The police investigation is also reportedly looking at whether left-wing extremism or other political motives were behind the killing.
The 78-year-old former MP and MEP was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor last Thursday 9th July 2026.
A 28-year-old white British man arrested in Rotherham in South Yorkshire on Saturday 11th July 2026 remains in custody.
He is being held on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism, as well as on suspicion of murder.
The man is understood to have been living alone in Rotherham after his father died.
Neighbours said he rarely went out but was friendly when they did encounter him and would take in parcels for them.
Counter-terrorism police are now in charge of the case after new evidence came to light – but a senior officer stressed the murder and terror investigations are currently working “in parallel”.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor told reporters on Tuesday the question of whether a TV appearance might have motivated her killing is also a “line of inquiry”.
Miss Widdecombe spoke to Mark Dolan by video-link on Talk TV just after 8am on Wednesday, and police believe she was attacked at about 12.30pm the same day.
“It is clear that this was a targeted attack,” Mr Taylor said.
“We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack.”
Asked if police were probing whether the suspect was targeting other Reform UK figures, he said: “So clearly, part of our responsibility when investigating offences of this nature is to assure ourselves and therefore the public and others of any extent of threat.
“That will form a line of investigation to ensure that we are putting all appropriate measures in place to mitigate any threat, should it become apparent.
“I’m not saying there is or there isn’t at this stage.”
A confusing picture has emerged in the days since Miss Widdecombe’s death, with Devon and Cornwall police initially saying that there was nothing to suggest her murder was politically motivated or linked to terrorism.
On Monday counter-terrorism police took over the investigation, and announced that they had additionally arrested the 28-year-old murder suspect on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
On Tuesday, Laurence Taylor, head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said that the murder and counter-terror investigations were running “in parallel”, but refused to give any further information about how they might be linked.
He said that key lines of inquiry are whether the suspect had plotted to target Reform MPs, or if a TV appearance by Miss Widdecombe around four hours before she died could have been a trigger.
The Daily Mail reported that left-wing extremism is a “leading avenue of inquiry” for investigators, while the Guardian said they are considering extreme left-wing or a single issue cause as possible motivations.
Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice and board member Gawain Towler both spoke out after Devon and Cornwall Police initially said the murder was not being treated as terrorism and there was nothing to suggest it was politically motivated.
Mr Towler said: “By appearing to rule something out and then a few days later bringing it back in, they look manipulative”, while Mr Tice said police would be better to keep an open mind rather than ruling something out too quickly.
Alison Hernandez, the PCC for Devon and Cornwall, defended the force, saying: “It is not unusual that in a fast-paced investigation, more information comes to light that changes the nature or the character of what the police are dealing with.”
On Wednesday, police would not be drawn any further on the suspected motivation behind the attack but insisted they were not ruling anything out.
Miss Widdecombe’s death follows the murders of Conservative MP Sir David Amess in 2021 and Labour’s Jo Cox in 2016.
Incoming prime minister Andy Burnham said a “serious review” was needed into MPs’ security.
He said: “It’s obviously appalling what happened to Ann. I knew Ann over many years in the House, and you know, we would get along – and everybody would get along.
“But it feels as though something has changed. It’s easy to blame social media, but it feels like it’s having some impact in just building that kind of toxicity that’s around the political debate.”
Mr Burnham said the issue could not be solved by “easy, glib answers”, adding: “I do think we need now a serious review of MPs’ security.
“I certainly am prepared to do that.”