The British counter-terrorism police have taken over the investigation into the murder of former minister and Reform UK profile Ann Widdecombe after new evidence has come to light. A 28-year-old man, initially arrested on suspicion of murder, has now been re-arrested under the UK’s anti-terrorism legislation as investigators examine whether the act had a political or ideological motive.

Counter Terrorism Policing South East announced on Monday that “new information and evidence” had led the authority to take over the investigation from Devon and Cornwall Police. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that several possible motives are still being investigated, and it is too soon to draw conclusions about the circumstances surrounding the killing.

78-year-old Ann Widdecombe was found dead in her home in Haytor, Devon, after having suffered severe violence. Another man previously arrested during the investigation has been released and is no longer a suspect.

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For several decades, Widdecombe was one of the most well-known profiles within the Conservative Party. She was elected to Parliament in 1987 and served as an MP until 2010. Under Prime Minister John Major, she, among other roles, served as a minister responsible for prisons and criminal justice.

She quickly became known as a forthright politician, often going against the political mainstream. Her strong rhetoric around law and order, immigration, and traditional values made her a popular figure among many conservative voters, but also a recurring target for criticism from the left.

Became a Symbol for Brexit

After leaving Parliament, Widdecombe continued to play an active role in British politics. She became one of the highest-profile advocates for Brexit and later joined Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party.

In the 2019 European Parliament election, she was elected as an MEP and argued that the UK should leave the EU without further delays.

When the Brexit Party later evolved into Reform UK, she remained one of the party’s most well-known representatives and spokespersons, especially on issues related to migration, criminal justice, and national sovereignty.

Critic of Mass Immigration and Gender Politics

In her later years in public life, Widdecombe became particularly noted for her opposition to what she saw as the prevailing trends in Western politics. She advocated for greatly reduced immigration, tougher border controls, and stricter punishments for serious crime.

She was also a frequent critic of the European Union’s influence over British politics, arguing that national self-determination needed to be restored.

At the same time, she became one of the UK’s most high-profile critics of modern trans activism. She opposed biological men who identify as women being allowed to compete in women’s sports or access women’s changing rooms, shelters, and other sex-segregated spaces, arguing that women’s rights and safety should take precedence over demands for self-identified gender identity.

As a practicing Catholic, she also defended traditional Christian values and was a vocal opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage. Her statements often provoked fierce criticism but made her a valued voice among many social conservative voters.

A Well-Known TV Personality

Outside politics, Widdecombe also became a familiar face to the general public through several television appearances. She participated in Strictly Come Dancing and later in Celebrity Big Brother, making her one of the country’s most recognizable former politicians.

Even after stepping back from active party politics, she continued to comment on social issues on television, radio, and in newspapers, and remained a much-invited debater on topics such as migration, freedom of speech, or the culture wars.

Evokes Memories of Previous Political Attacks

The fact that counter-terror police are now leading the investigation has caused concern in the UK, which in the past decade has been shaken by several high-profile attacks on elected political figures.

Police emphasize that the motive behind Widdecombe’s murder has still not been established. The investigation continues, and several different hypotheses are being explored in parallel.

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