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The murder of the former British MP and media personality Ann Widdecombe is now being treated as an act of terrorism.
British counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation, which police previously said was not suspected to have links to terrorism.
The 78-year-old was found at her home in Devon with serious injuries consistent with a violent assault last Thursday at 11:40 am.
The British Sun obtained footage, which it says is CCTV of a suspect leaving his home early on Wednesday morning.
A 28-year-old male, who was arrested in Rotherham on Saturday, has now been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
A 26-year old man, arrested on Friday, was released without charge.
Counter-terrorism police say that “new information and evidence” have come to light, which have resulted in their taking over the lead of the investigation from Devon and Cornwall Police.
Head of national counter-terrorism policing, Laurence Taylor, 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 now leading the investigation.
“We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.”
“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.
“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.”
Tributes paid to deceased Minister.
A number of high-ranking Reform politicians have placed floral tributes at a memorial shrine near Widdecombe’s remote home near Haytor Vale in Dartmoor. Nigel Farage said that he believed the attack was “premeditated”.
Police initially suspected that the death may have been the result of an accident or medical incident before a coroner found that the serious head injuries the victim had sustained were consistent with murder.
Widdecombe had made an appearance on Talk TV at approximately 8 am on the morning of her death and was due to make another media appearance on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show at 1 pm.
Although she answered a text message from the show’s producer at 12:19, she did not respond to a number of calls made from the producer between 12:53 and 13:14.
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