Police say Ann Widdecombe killed in 'targeted attack' as motive investigated

Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman, was killed at her home in Haytor, Devon, on July 9, 2026, in what police describe as a targeted attack. A 28-year-old suspect arrested in Rotherham is being held under a Terrorism Act warrant for up to seven days. Police are investigating her appearance on Talk TV on the morning of the murder and are working to determine the motive, not ruling out foreign state involvement. The counter-terrorism investigation runs parallel to the murder probe but the killing has not yet been declared a terrorist incident.