BREAKING Nigel Farage claims Ann Widdecombe’s ‘homicide’ was ‘premeditated’ as ‘automobile seen’

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Ann Widdecombe’s death was a “premeditated murder”, Nigel Farage claimed today. The Reform UK leader said a car had been parked at veteran politician’s remote house just five minutes before police believed she was bludgeoned to death.

Murder detectives previously said they believe Ms Widdecombe, 78, was was killed 24 hours before her body was found at the property in Haytor, Dartmoor. Reports suggest they are working on the theory the attack was a burglary gone wrong at lunchtime on Wednesday.

But speaking today, Mr Farage said: “One theory doing the rounds is that it was a burglary gone wrong. But a car went onto the drive at approximately 12.25-12.30 on Wednesday.”

Speaking at a memorial at the Moorland Hotel in Newton Abbot this afternoon, Mr Farage added: “She had done one interview in the morning… She was due to do another one at 1pm.

“So if you were a burglar, would you literally drive your car onto someone’s drive? From what I can see of it, from what I make out, this was premeditated murder.

“Whether it was politically motivated, whether it was someone with a grudge. I don’t think it pays at this time to speculate.”

He went on: “What it does say is that people now in public life, especially politics, the world is very much more dangerous than it’s ever ever been.

“Whatever the outcome of the motives of a killer, and let’s just hope and pray, this is not a Jill Dando type case where they don’t find a person. I believe with modern technology they will.”

Devona and Cornwall Police said they believe the attack took place on Wednesday, July 8, at around 12.30pm. They said they are searching for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.

A police cordon was still in place at the house today and forensics officers were seen entering the property.

Mr Farage added: “There are no words that I can utter that somebody who’s committed this act of barbarity against an innocent 78-year-old lady who wouldn’t harm a fly.

“I just hope that the killer is caught as quickly as possible and brought to justice, that’s all I can say. In a town there is so much ANPR and CCTV that these days, generally, people are caught pretty quickly, but look around you.”

Asked again about a potential motive, Mr Farage said: “It could be an individual with a grudge. It could be somebody with serious problems.

“But what is certain to me is that you don’t arrive in the middle of a little country (lane) on the edge of Dartmoor, park on a drive and go into a house just before half past 12 in the middle of the day without the motive being there from the very start.

“I just personally think the idea of a burglary… It just makes no sense to me at all. No sense to me at all.”

Ms Widdecombe had appeared on television at 8am on Wednesday morning and was due to be interviewed again at 2.15pm on Channel 5. But concerns were raised when she stopped responding to messages about the second appearance.

She found on Thursday morning by a carer covered in blood after being allegedly bludgeoned to death and sustaining a serious head wound.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said in an update today: “Our murder enquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace. We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened.

“We will release further information when we are able to do so. In the meantime, I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media.

“This is not only potentially harmful to our investigation but also deeply distressing for family and friends of Miss Widdecombe. The family have also asked for their privacy to be respected as they come to terms with what has happened.”

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