Ann Widdecombe murder latest: Counter-terror police lead investigation on ex-Tory minister’s death after arrest

The death of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe has reignited concerns over the growing tide of online abuse directed at politicians, prompting fresh calls for the government to force social media companies to do more to curb hateful and violent content.

During a debate in parliament, MPs from across the Conservative Party argued that tech platforms must be held accountable for allowing hostile and abusive posts to flourish online, warning that such rhetoric contributes to a climate that puts elected representatives at risk.

Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith urged the government to take stronger action against what he described as “visceral” and violent language circulating on social media.

“We need to reiterate, and the government and the home secretary needs to specify, to all those social media companies they must do something to close down on the visceral, violent language that some people use, attacking personally,” he said.

Referring to online reactions following Widdecombe’s death, he added that the comments had “shocked” him and warned that this kind of rhetoric was “the root of violence and death.”

Conservative MP Mark Francois echoed those concerns, saying politicians had always needed resilience but that the online environment had become increasingly toxic.

“You always needed a thick skin to come into politics; you now need the hide of a rhino,” he said, arguing that social media companies have a responsibility to reduce the level of hate directed at MPs and their families.

Another Conservative MP, Mark Pritchard, suggested that technology companies had escaped the level of scrutiny faced by traditional media.

“For too long, the mainstream media of this country have been blamed,” he said, arguing that large technology firms possess the resources to do far more to tackle abusive content on their platforms.

Responding to the debate, home secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged the concerns raised by MPs and suggested that existing measures may not go far enough.

“Many members have made this point today about the unaccountability of social media platforms for their algorithms and for the type of content that they host on their platforms,” she said. While noting that the government had already taken steps to regulate online platforms, Mahmood added: “I’m sure we will have to go further.”

A suspect in Ann Widdecombe’s murder investigation has been re-arrested after a manhunt following the discovery of her body at home last week.

Counterterror police are now leading the investigation into her death, after saying on Monday that “new information and evidence has come to light”.

Ms Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and later Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.

It is believed that the veteran politician was attacked on Wednesday at around 12.30pm, Devon and Cornwall Police have said previously.

You can read everything we know about the suspect below:

A 28-year-old white British man is being held on suspicion of murdering the veteran politician, and has also been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Counterterrorism police are now heading up the investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death after “new evidence” came to light.

Speaking on Monday, head of national counter terrorism policing, Laurence Taylor, said: “Building on the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police, we now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation.

“We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.

“Our priority is progressing this investigation quickly, with all the capabilities we have available to us. If anyone has any information, please share it with the police.

“We would like to thank local communities, the wider public and the media for their ongoing support and patience, and would ask them to continue to support us in the next stage of the investigation.” 

Counterterrorism detectives are now leading the investigation into the murder of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe after “new information and evidence” came to light, marking a major escalation in the probe into the former MP’s death.

A 28-year-old suspect, who was first detained on Saturday, has been rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

He is reported to have driven about 430km (270 miles) after being seen on CCTV climbing into a red car in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, with a wooden stick on the day of the politician’s death.

The 78-year-old was discovered with serious injuries in her remote Devon home at 11.40am the following morning.

Ann Widdecombe suddenly stopped responding to messages moments before she was due to appear on air for interview on Wednesday, the day before she was found at her dead at her Dartmoor home.

Ms Widdecombe, 78, was set to be a guest on 5 Daytime on Wednesday afternoon but stopped replying to the broadcaster and did not turn up for her slot, according to Channel 5 presenter Dan Walker.

“The team contacted her agent to ask them to check in on her. This information has been passed to police as it’s part of the investigation,” he said in a post on social media.

MPs have spoken about their own safety concerns after the killing of Ann Widdecombe, as one Conservative MP warned parliamentarians were more likely to be killed than members of the army or police.

Responding to a statement in the House of Commons about the former Conservative minister’s killing last week, Tory MP Sir Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) recalled the statistic as he added: “None of us want our homes to be turned into fortresses but maybe more people need to be encouraged to put, for example, security gates on the fronts of their houses and to have security cameras watching and recording what is going on, rather than relying on the Ring doorbell.”

Labour MP for Monmouthshire Catherine Fookes said: “I’m sure I was not the only one this weekend who went about my business in the constituency looking over my shoulder more than I normally would, and it’s terrible that it’s the third ex-member of this Parliament to be murdered. But it shouldn’t be like this.”

Ms Fookes added: “It does seem that security fobs, and security in our houses is not really enough.”

Conservative MP Sir Julian Lewis (New Forest East) told MPs he had previously worked with colleagues on greater privacy rules for MPs’ home addresses.

Labour MP Helena Dollimore (Hastings and Rye) said she was concerned about pictures of MPs’ homes being broadcast by media organisations. Sir Julian said: “Whatever else you do, keep your home addresses as private as you possibly can.”

Responding to Ms Fookes, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “There are a number of measures that are taken and that for local policing as well as working with the Parliamentary Security Department there is an offer for all members of Parliament and specific risk assessments.”

Prime minister in waiting Andy Burnham has paid tribute to former Tory and Reform heavyweight Ann Widdecombe, saying his and the PLP’s thoughts go out to her friends and family and all who loved her.

He said that “this is a moment to come together, think of her family and ensure the police have the resources and space they need to ensure justice is brought following this appalling act of violence.”

It comes as Mr Burnham addressed MPs during a one-candidate leadership hustings to MPs over Zoom on Monday. The hustings took place as Mr Burnham was confirmed at the next prime minister after receiving an extra 27 nominations from Labour MPs on Monday, taking his total to 349.