Ann Widdecombe murder latest: Ex-MP killed in targeted attack, counterterror police say

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was very sorry and shocked about the death of “dear colleague” Ann Widdecombe.

“I’m very very sorry and shocked about the murder or what seems to be the murder of Ann who was a dear colleague, I knew her for many, many years,” he said.

She was an “extraordinary politician” and the circumstances of her death were “appalling and unforgivable”, he went on.

“She was an extraordinary politician and a very, very hard act to follow, she left audiences absolutely wrung out with emotion.”

Asked about the security of UK politicians, Mr Johnson said: “Look, I heard what the Home Secretary had to say, and that seemed sensible to me.”

A police and crime commissioner has defended her force over the early stages of the investigation into the murder of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe amid criticisms it had attempted to “massage public opinion”.

Alison Hernandez, the PCC for Devon and Cornwall, said she was confident the force had “provided a substantial and professional response” to the murder.

Counter-terrorism policing is now leading the investigation after new information came to light, despite the Devon and Cornwall force initially saying it was “open minded” about a potential motive but there was nothing to suggest it was political.

Gawain Towler, a senior Reform UK member, on Monday accused police of trying to “massage public opinion”.

Ms Hernandez said: “There’s been some commentary about the way Devon and Cornwall police have communicated during the early stages of this case but, as the Home Secretary said yesterday, 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.

“Since the beginning of this investigation, I have been briefed by the chief constable regularly, and I am confident that Devon and Cornwall Police has provided a substantial and professional response to Ann Widdecombe’s death.”

Detectives investigating Ann Widdecombe’s death are keeping an “open mind” over the motivation behind the attack on her in her Devon home, officers sau.

However, they refused to make any comment on whether the suspect may have been motivated by any particular ideology.

“I’m not making any comment on what the motivation is at this stage,” head of counterterrorism policing Laurence Taylor said.

“We are exploring what sits behind this attack and we have an open mind as to what that might be and what the motivation might be.”

Detectives have urged the public to “think” before sharing unverified information about the killing of Ann Widdecombe as they said they had seen significant speculation over her death.

Speaking to reporters at New Scotland Yard on Tuesday, Laurence Taylor said he was very aware of the “significant levels of public interest in the case” due to Ms Widdecombe’s status as a high-profile political and public figure.

“I don’t intend to address every bit of speculation that we have seen, but I would like to use this opportunity to remind the public that investigations of this time are complex, and that new information can emerge as police progress their inquiries,” he said.

“And we do intend to release further information about when it’s available, and when it is appropriate to do so.

“So, please allow us to do our job thoroughly and carefully, and think before sharing any unverified information.”

Police are “retaining an open mind” over the potential that foreign state actors may have played a part in Ann Widdecombe’s killing.

When asked if counterterror forces could reassure the public and rule out foreign state interference, Laurence Taylor said detectives were still working through the possible motives for the attack.

“I don’t want to rule anything out at this stage, and we’re retaining an open mind,” he said.

“But I draw you back to my previous answer. We have a very experienced network of individuals working with security partners, and we will continiue to do so, both in terms of progressing this investigation and exploring wider threats across the UK, so that we can respond to those as appropriate.”

He added all investigations carried out by counterterrorism police were conducted in partnership with security services.

Asked about the involvement of Devon & Cornwall Police, Assistant Commissioner Taylor said: “We have been consulted throughout the course of the investigation but inquiries like this are complex.

“As a result of those inquiries, it was appropriate after the arrest that CTP take over the investigation.”

He added: “We have a complex investigation ongoing. We are not prepared to comment, and will see where the evidence takes us.”

The counterterror police investigation is to “understand nature of that targeting” of Ms Widdecombe, AC Taylor said.

“I won’t go into details of individuals’ background but that forms part of our inquiry,” he added.

The murder has not been declared a terrorist incident but they were investigating terrorist offences, he said.

Asked whether investigators were looking at whether the attack was on the Reform Party and how long it had been planned, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We are working through what the motivation for this attack is.”

He said there were a number of enquiries and they did not want to comment at this stage.

“In terms of planning, we are aware there has been some preparation and planning. I don’t want to go into details of extent at this stage,” he said.

He added: “Clearly part of our responsibility when investigating offences of this nature is to establish a threat and to put in place to mitigate any threat should it be apparent.”

Ms Widdecombe’s murder has had a deeply distressing impact on her family, and police are doing everything they can to support them, said head of Counterterrorism Policing Laurence Taylor.

He said Counterterrorism Policing Southeast were now leading the investigation after new information and evidence came to light following the arrest of a 28-year-old man.

Asked whether the suspect was still in Devon or London, Assistant Commissioner Taylor said: “We don’t comment. He is within the custody of CT policing.”