Police are continuing to question a 28-year-old man on suspicion of the murder of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe, now for a third day. The suspect, a white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was initially arrested on Saturday on suspicion of murder. He was re-arrested on Monday on suspicion of commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Widdecombe, 78, a prominent politician and former Conservative MP turned Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Devon on Thursday. She had sustained serious injuries, prompting an investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police. The shift in the investigation's focus to Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) emerged after new information came to light.

Under normal murder investigation rules, police would have had 96 hours to charge a suspect. However, individuals arrested under the Terrorism Act can be held for up to two weeks without charge, allowing investigators more time to build their case. CTPSE confirmed it had taken over the investigation, with national head Laurence Taylor stating their priority is to "progress this investigation quickly" and "establish the motivation for this attack."

The development raises significant questions about the security of individuals in public life. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed in the House of Commons that the suspect was not known to the government's Prevent anti-terror scheme. She indicated that police intend to issue safety guidance to MPs soon.

CCTV footage reportedly shows the suspect entering a car in Yorkshire on Wednesday morning, hours before Widdecombe is believed to have been attacked at her Devon home around 12:30 BST. This timeline places the suspect geographically distant from the crime scene at the time of the incident, suggesting a potential element of planning.

Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years and held ministerial positions in Sir John Major's government. After leaving Parliament in 2010, she participated in popular reality television shows and later joined the Brexit Party, serving as an MEP from 2019 to 2020.

The investigation's turn towards terrorism underscores the complex nature of modern threats. While initially treated as a straightforward murder, the involvement of CTP suggests a potential broader context or motive that requires specialized investigative resources.

Authorities are appealing for information from the public to aid their investigation. The focus now is on understanding the full scope of the suspect's alleged involvement and any potential links to extremist ideologies, as police continue to piece together the events leading up to Widdecombe's death.