Ann Widdecombe murder investigation: What do we know?
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The Pat Kenny Show. With Timber Living Log Cabins. Saturday and Sunday from 10am. On Newstalk. Conversation that counts. The shocking death of former Conservative Cabinet Minister, broadcaster and Reform UK figure Anne Widdicombe has sent shockwaves through British politics, with police treating her death as murder while stressing there is no evidence of a terrorist or political motive. The case has also renewed concerns about the safety of public figures after a decade that has seen a number of British politicians targeted by violence. Joining us now with the latest is George Parker, Financial Times political editor in London. George, good morning. Morning. Now, what do we know about the circumstances of her death?
What are the confirmed circumstances of Anne Widdicombe’s death and where was she found?
Well, she was living alone on a house on the edge of Dartmoor, which is one of the last remaining wilderness in southern England, so quite a remote area. She was found dead with serious injuries. When the news of her death was initially put out, there was just a general sort of sense of sadness that she died. And then during the course of Friday, it became clear this was not just a normal death at home, but an incident that the police were treating as murder. They picked up a 26-year-old white male, arrested him, but he has now been released and is no longer part of the investigation. So the investigation continues. But as you say, the circumstances and the motive behind what happened, this terrible incident, still unknown.
Now, they said they don't believe there's a political or terrorist motive involved here. How can they be so sure of that so early in the investigation?
Well, it's a very interesting question because the person they obviously had initially identified as being the prime suspect is now missing. So there's been no update from the police to change their initial assessment that there wasn't a political or a terrorist motive. That's certainly the view that's been taken by people in the heart of government as well. They're obviously working hand in glove with the police on this. Because, obviously, if there were to be a political motive, and you mentioned in your introduction there, there's numerous attacks on British politicians and indeed murders of two politicians in the last few years, that would take it to a different level entirely. But at the moment, as I said, that is not the premise of the police investigation.
Now, without naming the individual who's been arrested, released and therefore completely vindicated, one presumes, what do we know of the nature of that inquiry that led them to this individual? Do you know what the speculation is about the police motive in arresting this man?
Not really, no. They haven't said a great deal about this.
When did police begin treating the case as murder and who was initially arrested?
They said that right at the outset they were looking for a white male, and they picked him up in a place called Newton Abbot, which is about 10 miles away from where Anne of Widdicombe lived, so quite nearby. So they made some very quick progress, or at least they thought they were making quick progress. But the news came out today that he's now been released. And they say that the investigation is moving ahead at speed, which you obviously would expect. There are uniformed officers in place around the village of Haytor, which is, as I mentioned, in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor as well. So for extra security in the area.
Now, the news was received with, as you said at the beginning, you know, sadness. People thought she lived to a good age. She passed on, maybe ill or whatever. Then it turns out that she was assaulted and effectively murdered. What has been the reaction, given that she was admired, certainly on one side, but deeply controversial in so many ways?
Yeah, she was. I mean, her initial public persona was this stern, formidable conservative politician with very right-wing views on things like immigration, on social issues, as opposed to abortion. She thought that one day there might be a treatment for being gay, for example. So someone who had very, very, by British standards, socially conservative views.
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