UK Ex-Minister Ann Widdecombe Killed in Targeted Attack
Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Devon in England. She died on Thursday.
Police believe she was killed in a targeted attack. She was found at her isolated home in Haytor in Dartmoor.
Police believe she was attacked around 12:30pm on Wednesday. That was a day before she was found.
Counter Terrorism Police took over the investigation. Reports say new evidence pointed to a possible terrorism motive.
Police are questioning a 28-year-old man in connection with the killing. Laurence Taylor leads Counter Terrorism Policing.
He said the man was not previously flagged by Prevent a UK program that spots people at risk of terrorism. Police are looking into several possible motives.
They have asked people not to guess about the motive or the suspect. Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke in Parliament.
He said Widdecombe was murdered in her own home. Tributes also came from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood Nigel Farage and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Widdecombe was a former Conservative minister. She later became a spokesperson for the Reform party. She was also known for appearing on reality television shows.
Key Terms 3
- Counter Terrorism Policing UK police unit that investigates suspected terrorism cases.
- Prevent UK program that identifies people at risk of becoming terrorists.
- Reform party A British political party led by Nigel Farage.