‘New information and evidence’ has come to light, counter-terror police have said as they take the lead from Devon & Cornwall Police

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Devon & Cornwall Police have been criticised for breaking one of “golden rules” of investigations by the government’s independent reviewer of terrorism as counter-terror police take the lead in the prove into Ann Widdecombe’s alleged murder.

Ms Widdecombe was found dead with “serious injuries” in her Haytor residence at 11.40am on Thursday.

Jonathan Hall KC criticised the force’s decision to steer the public away from the idea that this was a terrorist case, as he spoke toTimes Radio.

“I don’t know why they didn’t simply say they had an open mind as to the motivation. I think they probably broke one of the golden rules of investigations, which is not to comment on live investigations in case new facts emerge. So that aspect is slightly regrettable.”

A 28-year-old man, who was arrested in Rotherham on Saturday on suspicion of murder, has since been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Speaking to the Commons on Monday, home secretary Shabana Mahmood said he was not known to counter-terrorism programme Prevent, which supports people who are at risk of becoming involved with terrorism.

Jonathan Hall KC, the government’s independent reviewer of terrorism, told Times Radio that Devon and Cornwall police “probably broke one of the golden rules of investigations” after the force said there was “nothing to suggest” the alleged murder of Ann Widdecombe “was politically motivated”.

Mr Hall said: “I don’t understand why Devon and Cornwall police were steering the public away from the idea that this was a terrorist case and I don’t know why they didn’t simply say they had an open mind as to the motivation. I think they probably broke one of the golden rules of investigations, which is not to comment on live investigations in case new facts emerge. So that aspect is slightly regrettable.”

Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

A government minister has admitted there may need to be “another look” at security arrangements for people in public life following the death of Ann Widdecombe.

Lucy Rigby told Sky News: “The home secretary said yesterday she is going to look at security for former MPs specifically, and there may well be be others, other categories of people who are involved in public life but not currently serving members of the House of Commons or of the House of Lords, where there needs to be another look at the security arrangements which are provided.

“But look, across across the piece, this is it’s grim, frankly, that those in public life or those thinking about gaining public life have to consider this.”

She added: “I remember exactly where I was when I found out what had happened to Jo Cox… it sticks with you.”

Brendan Cox, the husband of the late MP Jo Cox, has called for improvements to MP’s security and a greater change in algorithmic social media which he claims can legitimise political violence.

Jo Cox, who served as MP for Batley and Spen, was murdered in June 2016 by a far right extremist.

He said: “The security of MPs must be improved – provided on the basis of intelligence & threat level, blind to politics. But improved security cannot solve the problem. We need to change the culture that legitimises political violence including the algorithmic social media that drives it.”

Political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

It’s critical that we allow the police the space to conduct their investigation, a government minister has said.

Chief secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby told Sky News: “My heart goes out to her family and friends at the horrific circumstances of her death;

“What is absolutely critical is to protect the integrity of this investigation.”

She added: “It is just critical that we allow the police the space to do that investigation… that is the best way to allow the police to get to where they need to be.”

Police are still questioning a suspect over the alleged killing of Ann Widdecombe and terror offences.

Counterterror police rearrested a 28-year-old man on Monday on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Detectives will continue to quiz the man today as discussions are expected to continue over security arrangements provided to MPs and ex-MPs.

Devon and Cornwall Police said detectives remained “open-minded” about a possible motive as counter-terrorism police have taken over the investigation into the attack.

It was after detectives said new information and evidence had emerged, marking a significant shift from the initial assessment of the incident.

They stressed there was “no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident” at that stage, although officers were already receiving support from counter-terrorism policing.

By Monday, counter-terrorism officers formally assumed responsibility for the investigation following the emergence of fresh evidence.

The development came as Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf accused the government, parliament and police of failing to take threats against his party’s MPs seriously.

Writing on Sunday, Yusuf claimed “none of the government, the speaker nor the police care at all about the security of Reform MPs”.

He added: “Several of our MPs have written to the above in recent months about distressing, escalating security concerns, asking for help.

“Their correspondence was not even replied to.”

The nature and scope of the police investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death has changed considerably since police first confirmed the probe on Friday.

On Saturday, Devon and Cornwall Police said they had arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

The force claimed as recently as Sunday that there was no reason to believe the attack on the former prisons minister and Reform party spokesperson was terror-related.

But at around 12:40pm on Monday, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTP) said the man in custody had been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Later on Monday, home secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the man was not known to the anti-extremist Prevent programme.

Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said MPs who raise security fears are treated equally regardless of their political stripe, following concerns from a Reform UK spokesman who suggested he was not taking his duties seriously.

Speaking in parliament after the death of Ann Widdecombe, he said MPs’ concerns were always “passed on to the security people to deal with”.

Zia Yusuf, Reform’s home affairs spokesman, had claimed in a post on X that MPs from his party were not being given protection.