Summary

  • Shabana Mahmood is set to address MPs about the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe - you'll be able to watch live above

  • The home secretary will speak hours after counter terrorism police took over the investigation - a statement said this was due to "new information and evidence"

  • A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was originally arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday and has now been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism

  • On Thursday, Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, having sustained serious injuries

  • Widdecombe served as an MP in Kent for 23 years - she was later a Reform UK spokeswoman

Live Reporting

Edited by Jack Burgess and Imogen James

  1. Tributes paid to Widdecombe outside rural Devon home

    Dozens of bouquets, along with handwritten notes, are piled high outside Ann Widdecombe's home in Haytor, Devon.

    The former MP had lived in the tiny village, which sits on the outskirts of Dartmoor, for 18 years. These are some of the latest pictures coming in to us of the growing pile of tributes.

    Dozens of bunches of flowers piled up on the side of a road under a tree
    A note lies on top of a bunch of flowers, it reads: "Rest in peace, Ann. Always listened to your wise and honest words. Keith and Marlene".
    Dozens of bunches of flowers sit on the side of a road, with a photograph of Ann Widdecombe in a brown wooden flame.

  2. A long-serving politician with a showbiz career: Who was Ann Widdecombe?

    Former Conservative Party MP Ann Widdecombe speaks during a rally of the Brexit Party in Peterborough, Britain May 7, 2019Reuters

    Widdecombe speaking at a Brexit party rally in 2019

    Widdecombe was born in Bath, Somerset, in 1947 and went on to study Latin at Birmingham University, then philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University.

    Ann Widdecombe's political career spanned several decades, having served as a Tory MP for Maidstone in Kent from 1987 to 2010.

    She worked as a Home Office and employment minister in Sir John Major's government between 1994 to 1997.

    After leaving Parliament she embarked on a showbiz career,appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

    A staunch supporter of the UK's departure from the EU, she became an MEP for the Brexit Party, representing South West England in the European Parliament between 2019-2020.

    In 2023, she joined Nigel Farage's Reform UK, after the party changed its name from the Brexit Party, where she served as immigration and justice spokesperson.

  3. What we know about Ann Widdecombe's death

    Ann Widdecombe smilingPA Media

    Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday at around 11:40 BST, having sustained serious injuries.

    Police believe she was attacked the day before, on 8 July, at around 12:30 BST.

    Her death was announced by her agent Cloud 9 Management on Friday morning - with no suggestion that her death was suspicious.

    Later on Friday, police announced that they had launched a murder investigation into her death and that a 26-year-old man had been arrested in nearby Newton Abbot.

    That man was released on Saturday - police said he was "no longer part of the investigation".

    Later that day, police said a 28-year-old man had been arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of the murder of Widdecombe.

    Earlier today, it was announced that counter-terror police had taken over the investigation and that the 28-year-old man had been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

    A timeline of Ann Widdecombe's death

  4. Counter-terror police take over investigation into Widdecombe death

    Counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe after "new information and evidence", officers said earlier today.

    "We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack," head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said.

    A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was originally arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday but has now been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

    In a post on X this afternoon, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that she had spoken to Taylor, confirming that counter terrorism police are "leading on the investigation into the horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe".

    She said that she will update MPs in the House of Commons later this afternoon.

    On Sunday, Devon and Cornwall Police had said there was "nothing to suggest" the alleged murder was politically motivated.

    Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman had said officers remained "open-minded" about a potential motive and that there was not thought to be any threat to the wider public.

  5. Home secretary to make statement on death of Ann Widdecombe

    Freya Scott-Turner
    Live reporter

    Shabana Mahmood wears a black jacket and red blouse, she has short black hair and glassesPA Media

    Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to update the House of Commons this afternoon on the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe.

    It comes as counter terrorism police have taken charge of the investigation into the former MP’s death in response to “new information and evidence”.

    Widdecombe - a Conservative MP for decades and a member of Reform UK in recent years – was found dead at her Devon home on Thursday. The 78-year-old had sustained serious injuries, police said.

    Police are currently holding a 28-year-old white British man in custody. Originally arrested on Saturday on suspicion of murder, he’s since been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

    We're expecting Mahmood to begin her statement around 16:45 BST - we’ll bring you all the key updates right here.