Fire services rushed to the blaze on Saturday evening (July 11)

Furious locals have slammed youngsters who allegedly let off fireworks shortly before a huge wildfire broke out near Dovestone reservoir.

Dozens of firefighters have today (Monday) spent another day battling to bring under control the blaze on the steep moorland surrounding the popular beauty spot near Saddleworth, which has been burning since Saturday evening (July 11).

Nearby residents have reported hearing ‘bangs’ so loud they thought they were gunshots shortly before fire crews first arrived at 8:45pm.

They then saw the sky being lit up by fireworks during what one onlooker described as a ‘Universal Studios style display.’

Videos of youths apparently setting fireworks in the area have also been shared on social media. One clip shows a young woman holding a rocket launcher as a firework explodes out from it.

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A firework then appears to spark a blaze in dry grasses, before a group of bystanders run over to the smoking section of moorland. In another video recorded shortly afterwards, flames can be seen quickly spreading across a hillside.

It is understood youths gathered in tribute to a teenager who tragically lost his life in the reservoir on Friday night (June 10). Karl Holland, 18, died after getting into difficulties in the water, with his body sadly recovered from the scene later.

The fire service have yet to comment on the cause of the fire which they say is currently under investigation.

Councillor Keiron Lawrence, the Reform UK councillor for Ashton Hurst, said the ‘reckless’ videos were being reviewed with ‘some of those responsible identified.’

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) this afternoon confirmed a 20 year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of arson as part of the investigation. She remains in custody for questioning.

As smoke continued to billow out across the moors today and fire crews spent hours using various means to try and bring it under control in tinder-dry, sweltering conditions, residents living nearby shared their sadness, bafflement and anger at what had unfolded.

“It’s crazy,” one woman, who did not want to be named, said. ”Absolutely baffling. I cannot even begin to fathom or understand it. There are signs everywhere saying ‘no fireworks.’

“What part of that don’t they understand? People need to be more careful and use their brains a bit more. I don’t think they understand the potential consequences of their actions.

“It might seem like a small thing, but it can have a big impact. It was very bad on Saturday and into Sunday. There was a big red line on the hillside. I just feel sorry for the firefighters having to fight it in this weather.”

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A neighbour said it was akin to a ‘Universal Studios style display’ which he claimed ‘went on for about 20 minutes.’

“I thought it was gunshots at first,” he said. “Then I went to my bedroom and saw bright fire bursts. It was like an audition for Dante’s Inferno.”

He claimed social media had put the previously ‘hidden gem’ area ‘on the map’ but was now ‘perpetuating anti-social behaviour.

’He said those responsible had endangered firefighters’ health and safety’ adding he was ‘devastated’ at the impact on the countryside and wildlife. “It’s very sad,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s any point in getting angry, we need to get smarter” as he called for the introduction of a park ranger in the area.”

Rob, who lives in Greenfield, said: “It’s mental. Just stupid. I know what they were trying to achieve, but I’m not sure what they expected to happen with the conditions tinder-dry like this.” He said the recurring fires were also becoming a big frustration to locals.

“If it’s an accident, then accidents happen. But when people are bringing barbecues up there and things like that, it’s ridiculous.”

“What else can we do?” he asked. “We can’t shut it off as that’s not what it’s about. Some people are just so selfish though.”

A woman who also lives in the village said it was ‘very sad for those who lost their friend’ but said those who let off the fireworks ‘had obviously not thought about what they were doing.’

She said residents in the village had been left facing ‘constant sirens and smoke’ from the fire.

“I feel like we’re getting used to it. It has happened that often” she said. “But it seems to have gotten worse in the last five years or so. I’m not sure what, or by who, but I feel like more needs to be done.”

A neighbour labelled the setting off of the fireworks as ‘disgraceful.

“We have all seen the footage” she said. “We were aware of it quite quickly. There’s a lot of anger,” she said.

She had been left unable to go outside in her garden and was left worrying if her children’s school may have to be closed due to the smoke, she added.

Councillor Jake Frater, who represents Dukinfield and Stalybridge, said he had provided a dossier of evidence to police and that he was ‘ sick of seeing the same destruction every summer.’

“Earlier today, I made contact with Greater Manchester Police and provided all of the information we have gathered so far, including videos and photographs” he said in a statement shared on social media.

“In total, there are over 40 pieces of media, and GMP are carrying out a thorough investigation. That is what real community teamwork looks like. Absolutely outstanding from every single one of you. Thank you.

“I sincerely hope this investigation results in everyone responsible being identified and held fully accountable for the damage they have caused across Greater Manchester. Actions have consequences, and those responsible should face them.

“We also need to start looking at what more can be done to prevent this from happening year after year. I’m sick of seeing the same destruction every summer, with wildlife and habitats devastated, public money spent on repairs, and residents forced to keep their windows shut during hot weather because smoke is affecting their health. This cannot just become another annual occurrence. We have to do better.”

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News at the scene on Monday afternoon, Ben Levy, Head of Response for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue (GMFRS), said he was aware wildfires were a ‘problem’ and a ‘nuisance’ for those living in the local area as he pledged to bring it under control ‘as quickly as possible.’

He said that ‘we investigate the cause of every fire and that normally starts from the moment we arrive.’

“Our priority now is bringing this fire under control and the safety of our firefighters,” he said. He said they would be working with partner agencies such as the police and that once a cause had been established they would ‘see what that means to us.’

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Asked about the social media footage, he said: “People will have seen that footage and it’s quite unusual fireworks out on the moors, what is more common is fires started by the likes of disposable barbecues, people smoking and small campfires” he said.

However he said the ground was ‘tinder-dry’ and that ‘fireworks on dry moors are as much of a no-no as barbecues and small fires in the open.’

“If that becomes a line of our investigation that will be so” he said. “But at the moment, our priority is the safety of our firefighters whilst they’re on the moors fighting this fire.”

In a statement confirming the arrest of the woman, Detective Inspector Andrew Day from GMP’s Oldham CID said: “We are aware of social media posts circulating regarding this incident and would like to stress that this is a live police investigation.

“We would encourage people to stop speculating regarding this and if you do have information, please report it to ourselves.

Saddleworth Neighbourhood Sergeant Andy Holian added: “Officers would like to thank all emergency services who have dealt with and continue to deal with this incident. In particular, our colleagues at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

“Firefighters have been working tirelessly in extremely challenging conditions to contain the fire and prevent further spread, with strong winds adding to an already difficult situation.

“They are putting themselves at risk to protect our communities, the environment and local wildlife, and they deserve our utmost respect and support.”

Andy Burnham has effectively been confirmed as the new Labour leader after 349 MPs have nominated him to replace Sir Keir Starmer.

It is now mathematically impossible for a rival to run against the MP for Makerfield, with Burnham on track to become prime minister on 20 July.

He still requires the backing of three organisations affiliated to the Labour Party, at least two of which must be trade unions, although this is expected to be a formality for him.

The former mayor of Greater Manchester will field questions from Labour MPs as the only participant in an online hustings on Monday evening.

It marks an extraordinary rise to power for a man who only returned to Westminster three weeks ago following his historic by-election win in Makerfield.

In a statement on Thursday after receiving the backing of 322 MPs in the first day of nominations, Burnham said support for him had come from across the party and reflected a “shared belief that Britain needs a new approach to politics”.

“That is the circuit breaker I am offering: power out of Westminster, an economy rewired for ordinary people, and good growth in every postcode,” Burnham said.

Burnham’s own by-election victory and heavy Labour losses in May’s local elections left Sir Keir facing calls from his own MPs for him to stand aside and allow Burnham to replace him.

Sir Keir quit as Labour leader on the same day Burnham was sworn in as an MP.

Burnham has twice before run to become the Labour leader, in 2010 and 2015 – losing to Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn respectively.

This time round, he has run unopposed and his route to No 10 will not require a vote over the summer among party members and affiliated trade union supporters.

Wes Streeting, Sir Keir’s former health secretary, had been seen as a possible challenger, but he endorsed Burnham shortly after the prime minister’s resignation.

Former Defence Minister Al Carns, who resigned from government following a dispute over the funding plan for the military, was then seen as the most likely remaining challenger to Burnham, but he ruled himself out of contention last Wednesday.

Burnham has faced calls from some within Labour to offer more details on policies he will look to implement in government.

Burnham left Westminster in 2017 to run for the Greater Manchester mayoralty. He was elected three times.

But it has meant his opportunities to forge strong relationships with MPs elected since 2017, who make up the bulk of the Parliamentary Labour Party, have been limited.

He has also faced accusations of avoiding media scrutiny since he announced his intention to stand to replace Sir Keir. He has not taken questions from journalists after speeches and has so far only given an interview to Andrew Marr on LBC.

Burnham’s approach to social media is also a central part of his team’s strategy. The former Greater Manchester mayor frequently posts videos setting out areas of policy, and he has also held an online Q and A session for Reddit users.

The suspect in Ann Widdecombe’s murder “was not known” to the Prevent anti-extremism programme, the home secretary Shabana Mahmood has told MPs.

Ms Mahmood was updating Parliament hours after counter-terrorism police announced they are now leading the investigation into the former Conservative minister’s death.

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.

Ms Mahmood told MPs that officers were “pursuing multiple lines of inquiry in order to establish the motivation of this attack” and that the suspect was not known to the government anti-extremism scheme Prevent.

She also urged MPs not to speculate while the investigation continued.

“As soon as more information is available that is capable of being shared without compromising any future trial process, that will be done,” she said.

Reform’s Richard Tice hit out at the police as he asked the home secretary to ensure “that the counter-terrorism unit keep us updated on as regular as possible a basis”.

He added that “given the nature of these things… would it be wise, when considering motivation… to keep things being open-ended as opposed to ruling things out too quickly, that may then end up being ruled back in?”

At the weekend Devon and Cornwall police said the case was “not being treated as terrorism” and there was “no information” at that time to suggest it was a “politically-motivated crime”.

Earlier Ms Mahmood had offered the Reform leader Nigel Farage a meeting with the chair of the independent body within the Home Office that manages the security of those in public life after another senior Reform figure, Zia Yusuf, accused ministers, the Speaker and the police of not caring about the security of his party’s MPs.

The Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said MPs’ security concerns are treated equally and are “passed on to the security people to deal with”.

He told MPs: “Every member of Parliament is equal in their security to me – there is no difference between any member, I want to reassure you.

“When things are brought to my attention – because we don’t discuss security, I don’t put out there what is happening, what has been done – but I reassure everybody that when it is mentioned to me, it is passed on to the security people to deal with.

“Unfortunately, I’m sorry that people don’t think I do that.”

Earlier, the head of National Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), Laurence Taylor, said the investigation had been transferred aftre “new information and evidence” came to light.

“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,” he added.

“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.”

Discussing the ‘Hand of God’ goal with Diego Maradona himself was a particularly bizarre experience.

But, of course, the player who scored one of the most controversial goals of all time was more than happy to chat about it… with an Englishman. But, he refused point blank to apologise for the goal. He told me simply: “You have to use any advantage you can on the football field.”

After our interview he was about to take part in a coaching session with some youngsters. I asked him what he would say if one of them punched the ball in the net to score a goal. He said, with a twinkle in his eye: “I would say ‘good, very good.’”

In the interview, which took place in the Qatar capital Doha in 2005, he was a passionate early supporter of VAR – despite the fact it would have ruled out his goal. He insisted it was the only way forward, and of course 15 years later, football chiefs brought the technology in.

Maradona, who died aged 60 in 2020, smiled: “But if they had it in 1986 perhaps England would have been champions. I scored two beautiful goals in that game.”

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He was very warm and friendly and talked about his drug addiction, his family and his love of England star Wayne Rooney. Maradona and I certainly had “history”.

Back in 1986 I was watching the big game in a snooker hall in Reading and when the “Hand of God” goal went in I vividly remember screaming “you f***ing cheat” at the TV. When we met he warmly shook my hand. He was gracious, kind and insisted I could ask him any questions I liked.

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He said: “I was addicted to cocaine. But life is now worth living again. I am so much happier now. I wake up every morning and see my daughters – that is very special.

“The one thing I missed in the past was seeing my daughters each day growing up. That’s how very important to me. Life is worth living. I was addicted to cocaine. I was consuming myself and wiping myself out.”

He told me: “I believe parents are the biggest inspiration for their children and not stars who appear on the field for 90 minutes or celebrities who appear on television for a lesser period of time. I realised that only parents can be real examples and that’s where I corrected myself.

“I changed my lifestyle and transformed a lot for the sake of my two daughters. Now I do everything for them.”

He was very keen to talk about Wayne Rooney ahead of the 2006 World Cup where England ended up getting knocked out in the quarter final.

He said: “Back in 1986 I helped Argentina win the World Cup can Wayne Rooney do the same for England next year? Yes no doubt. He has the same characteristics as me both as a player and a person. He is a great player a powerful player but I do think he needs more guidance more leadership.”

I do remember that as we finished I asked him who was the best player ever then: “Pele, Johan Cruyff or you?” He said: “My mum says it’s me … and everyone listens to my mum!”

Three people from the same family have been found dead in their home, sparking a police probe.

The bodies were found inside a family home on a quiet street in Ballymena, Northern Ireland on Monday morning.

North Antrim MP Jim Allister said the deaths are a ‘tragedy causing great shock in the community’.

He said: ‘Though details remain scant, clearly there are family and friends who have suffered huge loss.

‘The police has confirmed to me there is no extant risk in the community and no further persons are being sought.

‘Sincere condolences to all affected.’

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan said he was shocked by the deaths.

He said: ‘I am shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic deaths of three members of one family in the Old Cullybackey Road area of Ballymena.

‘My immediate thoughts are with their wider family and friends. Their grief will be immeasurable right now.

‘Anyone with information should bring it forward to the PSNI immediately and assist with its investigation.’

The family have not been named. A post mortem-is ongoing.

A PSNI spokesman said: ‘Police are investigating the circumstances after three people were found dead in the Old Cullybackey Road area of Ballymena this morning, Monday 13th July. 

‘The three people were related and found inside the family home.

‘There is no ongoing risk to the public.

‘A further update will follow in due course.’

MORE: M&S recalls ‘contaminated’ cheese over deadly bacteria fears

London is under water. The Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Bank of England are all submerged. Far away, the West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets have collapsed, triggering accelerated sea level rise which, combined with a storm surge in the North Sea and a high spring tide, has led to water flooding over the Thames Barrier. Thousands of shops, offices, schools and houses are several feet deep in effluent-rich water.

Economists struggle to calculate the ongoing economic damage, but everyone knows it is epochal. The realisation dawns that the UK’s capital city is no longer defendable. The government has no choice but to abandon it permanently to the waves.

This dystopian vision of the next century is not the most likely outcome. But nor do current scientific projections rule it out.

As scientists learn more about how climate change could trigger catastrophic flooding, wholesale collapse of food supplies and millions of heat-related deaths, there is a growing realisation that such risks need to be more widely understood and acted on. Too many people remain unaware about what could actually happen. Disasters like these are possible. Crucially, they are not yet inevitable.

This lack of awareness is concerning, as I outlined with colleagues in an article published in February 2026 in the journal Nature. It fuels both climate denial and climate doomism. We have the evidence needed to help steer humanity towards greater safety, but scientists have not communicated that evidence effectively enough. We have tied ourselves too closely to a paradigm that focuses on best-known outcomes.

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East London is at high risk of extreme flooding – here’s how to limit the damage

No one wants to be the scientist who cried wolf. That aversion to predicting outcomes that may not happen has made us too ready to rule out those that could potentially take place.

We can do better. And so can everyone involved in communicating climate change information. Presenting the potential horrors of continued greenhouse gas emissions as though they are simply inevitable encourages people to give up on reducing those emissions at the very moment in history when we can least afford to do so. The catastrophic collapse of the West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets that could cause the abandonment of London is not yet a foregone conclusion. But time is fast running out to avoid scenarios like this becoming a reality.

The case for stubborn hope

The writer and activist Rebecca Solnit points out that uncertainty in what lies ahead can be a trigger for climate action and an antidote for despair. Hope, she says, can come from a stubborn determination to enable positive change despite the challenges. This makes a lot of sense to me as a climate scientist who has worked for 30 years identifying the causes and consequences of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.

To help everyone navigate that uncertain future, we argued in Nature that the scientific community needs to produce a new kind of climate-risk assessment – one that paints a compelling picture of things that may happen but are still avoidable. Knowing the possible perils, in a nevertheless uncertain future, gives people a better chance to navigate the choices they and their politicians face.

The missing climate assessment

There has been a previous global assessment of climate change risks, published in 2015, led by former chief scientific advisor to the UK government Sir David King. Produced relatively quickly by a small group of authors, it nevertheless demonstrated the potential power of such a set of information.

But that report is more than ten years old. With growing evidence that the risk of irreversible changes to the climate are mounting, a new assessment could show a much clearer picture of what is at stake. By presenting the best that could happen and the worst, side by side and as the years tick by, it would provide a roadmap for stubborn hope, an antidote to despair despite the stark realities.

London could be submerged by 2200. But it need not be. And there are many other climate change risks, particularly those affecting the most vulnerable nations, that are both catastrophic and still avoidable. Everybody deserves to know how the future could pan out if humanity does, or doesn’t, reach net-zero emissions by the middle of this century. Whether it be a top-down directive from the UN secretary general or a bottom-up initiative from scientists, a global assessment of avoidable climate-change risks would fill a gaping hole in the world’s knowledge of its most existential threat.

Endolys Ltd has secured planning permission for the £125 million scheme at the former Cleveland Bridge site on Yarm Road.

The company said the development would become one of the UK’s largest advanced plastic recycling facilities and could process up to 120,000 tonnes of waste plastic film each year, subject to an environmental permit being granted by the Environment Agency.

The approval covers the construction of an external plant compound, including a tank farm and thermal equipment, while the site’s existing industrial building will house 12 advanced pyrolysis units used in the recycling process.

(Image: Andy Futers)

Endolys has already secured £60 million in funding for the first phase of the project, which will see six of the 12 units installed. The company said it expects operations to begin before the end of the year.

Using a process known as pyrolysis, the facility would convert plastic film collected from materials recycling facilities into pyrolysis oil, which can then be refined and used to manufacture new plastics and chemicals.

At full capacity, the site is expected to produce around 80,000 tonnes of recycled pyrolysis oil each year for use by European refineries and petrochemical manufacturers.

Mark Leggett, chief executive of Endolys, described the planning decision as “a major milestone” for both the company and advanced recycling in the UK.

“We’re creating skilled jobs, regenerating an iconic industrial site and delivering infrastructure that will recycle plastic film that currently has few viable recycling options,” he said.

“This project demonstrates that the UK can lead the transition to a more circular plastics economy.”

The company said the development would regenerate the former industrial site while establishing a new recycling hub for the North East.

When the plans were first revealed last year, politicians praised the proposal for putting the region at the “forefront of innovation in recycling and clean growth”.

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for Economy, praised the new company’s plans to revive the site.

He said: “This is a significant step forward for Darlington – economically, environmentally and socially. It marks a proud moment in the town’s journey toward a cleaner, greener future.”  

Endolys has partnered with Teesside-based Px Limited, which will help manage and operate the facility.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This landmark investment by Endolys is fantastic news for Darlington and will breathe new life into the iconic former Cleveland Bridge site.

“As well as creating scores of well-paid, good-quality, skilled jobs, it will also put our region at the forefront of innovation in recycling and clean growth.

Newly released footage shows the moment the prime suspect in the murder of Ann Widdecombe was arrested at his council house in South Yorkshire.

Video shows an army of armed officers descending on the 28-year-old’s property in Rotherham on Saturday, pushing wheelie bins out the way to access the front door before detaining him in the driveway.

Ms Widdecombe, 78, was found dead by her gardener at her cottage in Haytor on Dartmoor at around 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.

A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham was arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday.

Specialist officers from Counter Terrorism Policing today took over the investigation into the death of the former minister.

Making a statement in the Commons about the case, Shabana Mahmood said the man had not been referred to Prevent, the anti-extremist programme.

‘I can confirm to the House that this man was not known to Prevent,’ she told MPs.

‘The police have cautioned against speculating about the case – that is the right thing to do for Ann’s family and friends.’

Video shows an army of armed officers descending on the 28-year-old’s property in Rotherham on Saturday

The murder of Ann Widdecombe, pictured on a TV show two weeks ago, may have been terror-related

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The suspect was captured on CCTV climbing into his car with what appeared to be a large baton or pole more than a foot long bulging from his left pocket on the day she was allegedly beaten to death.

It also emerged today that Ms Widdecombe gave a tour of her £600,000 Dartmoor home for a television programme broadcast just five days before she was allegedly murdered. The show featured the kitchen where she was found dead, as well as the property’s front door, driveway and grounds. 

Until today, Devon and Cornwall Police had insisted there was no evidence to suggest the killing was politically motivated.

But in a dramatic twist, the suspect has now been re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) said new information and evidence had come to light, prompting it to take over the investigation. The nature of that new evidence or information has not been revealed.

Specialist officers from across the UK Counter Terrorism Policing network have been working alongside Devon and Cornwall Police since a murder inquiry was launched last week.

Laurence Taylor, the head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, 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 leading the investigation.

‘We are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.

‘Our priority is to progress this investigation as quickly as possible, using all the capabilities available to us. If anyone has information, we urge them to contact police.

‘We would like to thank local communities, the wider public and the media for their ongoing support and patience, and ask them to continue supporting us during the next stage of the investigation.’

The suspect in Ms Widdecombe’s murder was captured on CCTV leaving the property on a  Rotherham estate shortly before 8am on Wednesday with what appears to be a pole in the pocket of his shorts

Shabana Mahmood giving a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon 

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Officers were called to Ms Widdecombe’s home at Haytor, Devon, by the ambulance service at around 11.40am on Thursday, July 9.

Sadly, the former Tory MP was found dead inside the property with serious injuries. She may have been deceased for around 24 hours. 

The former minister showcased her home on Quest’s Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House on July 2 – though the episode was filmed in 2022. 

Ms Widdecombe gave a guided tour of the property to host Angus Ashworth and told him how much she loved the ‘peace, quiet and solitude in the area’.

The show sees Mr Ashworth and his team help famous faces clear their homes of clutter.

Ms Widdecombe showed the auctioneer around her garden, conservatory, gym, library, dining room and the kitchen where she was found dead last week. 

The Tory MP poignantly described how happy she was to have retired to the home, close to ‘the idyllic Devonshire coast’.

She added: ‘I came down here quite deliberately to be as remote as I could, as was sensible.

‘I’ve got what I want, which is peace, quiet, solitude. Of course, I’m friendly with some of the neighbours. I’m not a recluse.’

While there is no suggestion that the TV appearance led to her death or inspired any attacker, a former counter-terrorism detective at Scotland Yard said that ‘unscrupulous’ individuals do target homes in this way.

David Videcette, who investigated the 7/7 bombings said: ‘This sort of thing is a real problem nowadays. There’re plenty of free tools for unscrupulous individuals to identify where you live from a photo or video, there’s even more when you’re prepared to pay.’

Ms Widdecombe greets Angus Ashworth as she gives a tour of the £600,000 Dartmoor home for a TV show broadcast just five days before she was killed

The show, Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House, included shots of the kitchen where she died

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Ms Widdecombe showed off items that she wished to sell at auction, including a rare Japanese dish and a teddy bear

The show also showed the exterior of the house and the drive – but the name plate was removed and location masked

Ms Widdecombe made £1,445 from selling items in her home at auction, including a rare Japanese dish and a teddy bear.

‘Part of the retirement plan was to have a clear-out of old things,’ she said.

On the day Ms Widdecombe died, the suspect was filmed climbing into a red hatchback before allegedly travelling some 267 miles – a journey of around five hours – to her remote property.

Police believe the former Tory minister, who was found dead the following morning, was killed shortly after midday on Wednesday.

Neighbours described the man held over her death as recluse and an unemployed ‘loner’ who rarely left home.

The added that he had become increasingly introverted following his father’s death last year.

But early on Wednesday morning, the suspect, who lived alone, was spotted on CCTV leaving his terraced home and getting into a run-down vehicle parked on the driveway.

‘He comes out of the house and walks towards the red car,’ said a neighbour familiar with the footage, which has been shared with police.

Ms Widdecombe was killed in her home on Wednesday last week and discovered 24 hours later

They said he appeared to be carrying a stick concealed under his top before placing it inside the car. 

‘It looked like a wooden stick or an iron bar, about a foot long, and it was pushing up underneath his T-shirt as he got into the car,’ the person added.

‘He seemed calm and there is nothing to suggest anything unusual was happening.’

Ms Widdecombe’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief with tributes to the former Tory minister. 

On Monday, Jeremy Vine broke down on live TV today over the alleged murder of his close friend and regular guest.

The broadcaster wiped away tears as he revealed that a member of his team had been in contact with the former Tory minister ‘by chance’ on the day she died.

Ms Widdecombe appeared on Channel 5‘s Jeremy Vine Show more than 50 times and was also a regular on his BBC Radio 2 programme.

Forensic officers were seen heading into the house, after it was confirmed there is no evidence to suggest the murder was politically motivated

Forensic officers were still searching the man’s mid-terraced address in the Rotherham’s Kimberworth Park area on Sunday as uniformed officers stood guard outside.

Neighbours said around a dozen armed officers had surrounded the property at around 9pm on Saturday before knocking loudly at the door.

Courtney Foster, 25, who lives next door with partner Rayed Astle, 26, said: ‘We were in the kitchen and just saw the officers running up. Some were armed. Then they banged on the door very loudly.

‘They didn’t smash the door down because he opened it. They asked him his name, he confirmed it and they took him away.’

Ms Foster said police also took the man’s pet labradoodle, adding: ‘There were about 12 officers and quite a few cars. It was quite a shock.’

Describing the man, Mr Astle said that he had barely spoken to anyone since his father, who he had moved in with around a year ago, died last December.

‘He was someone you’d have a conversation with but that changed after his dad died. He became very quiet. He kept himself to himself and wouldn’t really speak to anyone,’ he added.

Ms Foster added: ‘He was always in the house and I don’t think he worked.’

Other neighbours said the man’s red Vauxhall Corsa ‘barely moved’ from the drive – to the extent it had begun to rust with weeds growing on it.

Police were searching an address in Rotherham on Sunday where they arrested a man on suspicion of Ms Widdecombe’s murder

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A cordon remains at the bungalow in Haytor, Devon, and police said locals will notice a heightened presence for the next few days

Floral tributes have been left on the grass outside her home, including a framed photograph of Ms Widdecombe

‘The car was normally left outside for long periods, so it just stood out that he was driving away so early in the morning,’ one added.

Another local said: ‘He is one of three brothers but the others moved out, so he was living on his own.

‘His father died before Christmas and I think it affected him. He seemed to change because he became even more introverted.

‘You would barely see him – to the point where you’d presume the house was unoccupied. Now and again you’d see the upstairs light on but that was it.’

Another resident, who witnessed the arrest, said: ‘The police came at about 9.10pm. There were about a dozen officers armed with guns, both in the front garden and the back garden.

‘They knocked on the door and he opened up. They asked his name and he was taken away.

‘It was quite quiet, really. There was no commotion… It was very quiet how they turned up. There was no lights, no noise – our Ring doorbell didn’t even go off.’

Neighbour Kingsley Whybrow, 29, said: ‘I’ve never seen anyone come in and out of that house, ever.

‘He drove a red Corsa that was parked outside – it had started to rust and there was vegetation growing on it. They came at about 3am to tow it away.’

One of the man’s brothers is believed to live in Devon, while a second brother and his mother, who is thought to have worked as a teaching assistant, are said to live locally.

Ms Widdecombe had stopped responding to text messages regarding a TV interview around the time police believe she had been attacked.

She had been due to appear remotely as a guest on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show when she suddenly stopped responding to a producer at 12.19pm, according to ITV News.

The messages show she did not open a reply timestamped 12.48pm asking her to join the Zoom meeting which she failed to attend.

Reform UK is said to be reviewing emails sent to Ms Widdecombe in the weeks before her murder in search for any threats against her life.

The party has also said it is committed to providing round-the-clock security to its MPs in the wake of her death.

The Arsenal captain was the subject of fresh speculation after Turkish outlets claimed he had reached an agreement with Galatasaray

Martin Odegaard looks increasingly likely to stay at Arsenal following recent reports suggesting he had agreed terms with Galatasaray. Reports in Turkey claimed that Arsenal skipper’s agent, Bjorn Kvarme, had been spotted in Istanbul earlier this month.

However, it was made clear that Kvarme had in fact travelled with him to the United States, showing his support during Norway’s World Cup campaign.

Arsenal are also exploring a move for Bruno Guimaraes, a pursuit that adds another layer of uncertainty to their captain’s long‑term future in north London. The club are currently working on their first formal offer to Newcastle, with both the player and the hierarchy keen for clarity before pre‑season begins in August.

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Odegaard, meanwhile, will now take some time off after Norway’s World Cup run, having exited at the quarter‑final stage against England, before reporting back for pre‑season next month. The Mirror’s colleagues at football.london reported that sources close to the midfielder insist he’s happy at Arsenal and eager to stay, with discussions over a new deal likely in the near future.

From Arsenal’s point of view, they are delighted with his impact on and off the pitch throughout their title‑winning Premier League campaign, a sharp contrast to the injury‑hit season he endured last year.

He battled two separate shoulder issues before a knee problem ruled him out for lengthy spells and while he has faced competition from Eberechi Eze this season, he has still remained an influential figure whenever available.

Mikel Arteta also consistently dismissed speculation surrounding a change in the captaincy at the Gunners. Arsenal’s manager has repeatedly reaffirmed his support for Odegaard, previously saying: “Our captain is unbelievable, I love him.

“He’s so good and he’ll continue to be the captain and continue to be so good.”

Odegaard continues to have the full backing of the dressing room, with teammates unanimously voting for him to remain captain. He also skippers Norway, having taken on that role a year before being handed the armband at Arsenal.

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The Norweigian made 36 appearances in all competitions last season, missing 21 matches due to knee and muscle injuries. He will aim to play a central role in Arsenal’s title defence in the 2026/27 season.

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