A 28-year-old white British man who was arrested on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe’s murder “was not known” to the Prevent programme, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told MPs
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood issued a statement to MPs in the House of Commons today (July 13) with an update on the death of Ann Widdecombe.
MPs were told that the man in custody allegedly linked to the death of Miss Widdecombe “was not known” to the Prevent anti-extremism programme. The Home Secretary also said that Nigel Farage has been offered a meeting with the head of a parliamentary body responsible for politicians’ security after the party’s concerns about the safety of Reform UK MPs.
Former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Miss Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11:40am on Thursday (July 9) after sustaining serious injuries.
Counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe. The head of UK counter-terrorism policing, Laurence Taylor, said that new information and evidence had come to light during the police investigation into her murder.
A 28-year-old white British man who was arrested on suspicion of her murder on Saturday has since been rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
Making a statement in the House of Commons, the Home Secretary told MPs: “The police now have a suspect in custody, a 28-year-old white British man.
“And I can confirm to the House that this man was not known to Prevent. The police have cautioned against speculating about the case – that is the right thing to do for Ann’s family and friends.”
As well as offering a meeting for Farage regarding his concerns, the Home Secretary said she would also be assessing security advice for former MPs in the wake of Ann Widdecombe’s death.
She said: “I recognise the particular concern that the Reform Party will feel today, and of course Nigel Farage, the party’s leader.
“I’m happy to offer a meeting for Mr Farage with the chair of Ravec (Royal and VIP Executive Committee), the independent body within the Home Office that manages the security of those in public life.
“I will also be looking at what security guidance can be provided to former members of Parliament, which I hope to work with you on Mr Speaker, as well as those who serve a party outside of this place.”
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said MPs’ security concerns are treated equally and are “passed on to the security people to deal with”.
He told MPs: “Every member of Parliament is equal in their security to me – there is no difference between any member, I want to reassure you.
“When things are brought to my attention – because we don’t discuss security, I don’t put out there what is happening, what has been done – but I reassure everybody that when it is mentioned to me, it is passed on to the security people to deal with. Unfortunately, I’m sorry that people don’t think I do that.”
It comes after Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman, claimed in a post on X that Sir Lindsay, the Government and the police did not “care at all about the security of Reform MPs”.
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