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Devon and Cornwall’s Asst Chief Constable Matt Longman stated on Friday: ‘I’ve got no information to believe that it is a politically motivated crime’ |
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Martin Evans Crime Editor |
In the days following the shocking news about Ann Widdecombe’s alleged murder, Devon and Cornwall Police insisted there was nothing to suggest it was terror-related or politically motivated.
Speculation swirled that perhaps it had been a burglary gone wrong or the former Conservative minister had known her killer.
When a suspect was arrested on Saturday night, more than 300 miles away in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, it only added to the mystery surrounding the alleged motive.
Police officers investigate the area near Widdecombe’s home |
Then, yesterday lunchtime, counter-terrorism police announced they were taking over the investigation following the discovery of “new information and evidence”.
The 28-year-old white male, who was being questioned on suspicion of murder, was then rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
The force is now facing pressure over the numerous public statements in which senior officers appeared to downplay suggestions that the Reform UK spokesman had been targeted because of her politics.
Senior Reform UK members left tributes for Widdecombe in Haytor, Dartmoor |
Jonathan Hall, the Government’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said he was “surprised” at Devon and Cornwall Police’s position and suggested that it would have been better for them to have simply said they were keeping an open mind as to the motive.
Laurence Taylor, the head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “Building on the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police, we now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation.
“We are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.”
One Whitehall source told The Telegraph that the police communication strategy had been unwise. They said: “They were giving honest answers to honest questions, which were accurate at the time, but they should not have gone beyond the ‘keeping an open mind’ position in terms of motive until the full picture was known.”
This report is available only to subscribers.
Continue reading ➤
Labour’s safeguarding minister accused Reform of ‘faux outrage’ over Widdecombe ➤
Telegraph View: Conspiracy theorists thrive on obfuscation ➤ |
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Charles Moore Telegraph Columnist |
Before we thankfully leave the sad case of the Duke of Sussex and the Daily Mail, which His Royal Highness lost last week, we should reflect on what he said afterwards.
Joining Baroness Lawrence, the mother of the murdered teenager Stephen, Prince Harry issued a statement. The judgment, he said, had been “a complete and obvious whitewash, but sadly not altogether unexpected”.
Lady Lawrence arriving at court during the trial |
Since the Prince said Justice Nicklin’s judgment was “not altogether unexpected”, why did he fight the case, incurring vast costs for both sides and wasting 45 days of court time? The entire action – a civil, not a criminal case – was self-started. It need never have happened.
Justice Nicklin decided that no credible evidence had been produced by Prince Harry’s team. Evidence is to a court what symptoms are to a doctor. How could any judge not have thrown the case out? The motive – apart from seeking vast damages – was to destroy the entire tabloid press.
Is Prince Harry’s own psychodrama the only thing that matters to him? It was not a princely act to use poor Lady Lawrence, whom he helped drag into the case, as a human shield.
Continue reading ➤ |
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David Frost Badenoch is right to insist on Tory candidates opposing the statist capture of policy-making Continue reading ➤
Suzanne Moore ‘Tough love’ Tuchel has British women swooning. Who can blame them? Continue reading ➤
Robbie Collin Ali G will save us from comedy’s offence police Continue reading ➤ |
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Diego Maradona scores the ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in the World Cup quarter-final in 1986 |
For England, it was the worst of footballing crimes. For Argentina, it remains the greatest triumph: Diego Maradona, leaping salmon-like to punch the ball into the net to defeat England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, writes Robert Mendick, our Chief Reporter, in Atlanta.
Now Argentina are channelling their inner Diego by requesting and obtaining permission from Fifa to wear the solid blue shirts they wore in the Azteca 40 years ago. The Argentinians are a superstitious bunch. They also wore the “lucky” away kit when they knocked England out in 1998, getting David Beckham sent off in the process. If England need an omen it’s surely this: it can’t happen a third time, can it? And anyway, we’ve got Jude Bellingham.
For subscribers only ➤
Plus, England play waiting game over ill Declan Rice ➤ |
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Miranda Levy put off her routine screening for more than six months, assuming there was no reason to rush |
I initially put off my three-yearly mammogram, seeing no reason to rush, writes Miranda Levy. I couldn’t feel any lumps, my previous two mammograms had been clear – and who enjoys having their breasts crushed in a transparent Breville toaster? However, after an abnormality was found on the scan, the subsequent biopsy revealed a 7mm carcinoma. In the first of my breast cancer diaries, I reveal all about the scans, the biopsy, the torture of that two-week wait for the results, and how a mother tells her children those terrible words: “I’ve got cancer.”
Continue reading ➤
Plus, the breast cancer guide every woman should read ➤ |
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It is one of the internet’s enduring irritations, writes James Titcomb, our Technology Editor. Click on a web page, and instead of it loading up, you are asked to complete the world’s worst mini-game, identifying all the traffic lights or staircases just to be let through. However, these prevention measures are only becoming more complex as websites turn to increasingly desperate measures to keep bots and AI scrapers off their pages. Continue reading ➤ |
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Wilson’s devotion to the Odyssey is visible on her own body – with an octopus tattoo to represent Odysseus |
Ahead of the release of Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated – and hotly debated – Odyssey adaptation, Evgenia Siokos spoke to Emily Wilson, the classicist. Her 2017 translation of Homer’s epic, rumoured to be a source for Nolan’s film, continues to be a flashpoint in the culture wars. Wilson has been accused of “wokery” and the “DEI-fication” of Homer. Here’s what she had to say. Continue reading ➤ |
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Dr Jack Mosley says following a low-calorie diet has myriad health benefits beyond rapid weight loss |
Since the death of Michael Mosley, the television doctor and diet guru, his son Jack has taken over “the Mosley Mission” to improve the nation’s metabolic health. Here, he explains exactly what low-calorie diets do to your body, from rapid weight loss, to boosting cardiovascular health, reversing type 2 diabetes and even helping to beat gum disease.
Continue reading ➤
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Francesca Hicks says many passengers are happy to see an older face on board |
Turning over a new leaf as a cabin crew member in later life might seem an odd choice but, as the popularity of easyJet’s over-50s “returnship” recruitment scheme has proved, it’s rather a natural fit.
Having worked as a secretary, and as a nurse for dementia patients, 64-year-old Francesca Hicks retrained as a flight attendant for the budget airline last year, finding that her substantial life experience, people skills and “motherly common sense” stood her in excellent stead for the new role.
Having endured months of rigorous training – including CPR, first aid, fire safety and “wet drills” in the swimming pool – her daily life now consists of 5am starts, safety briefings, nervous fliers and as many as four flights a day to a schedule of 2,000 potential destinations.
“I love the new challenge,” she tells Telegraph Travel. “I hope I’m still here in my 80s.”
Continue reading ➤ |
Empty wordsEvery weekday, Orlando Bird, our loyal reader correspondent, shares an off-piste topic that has brought out the best of your opinions and stories. Orlando writes...
“Stop ordering me to enjoy things,” implored The Telegraph’s Jane Shilling in a recent column. I grimaced in recognition. Jane was talking about the use of the word on Radio 3 and elsewhere (as in “Here’s John Cage’s 4’33” – enjoy!”) but her article made me think of a wider shift in the language of consumer relations.
You know, the one that resulted in us being asked to rate our latest interaction with our water supplier using emojis. Anyway, the piece struck a chord, and over on the Letters page it has been open season on such jaunty vapidities.
“Two phrases that drive me bonkers”, wrote Tim Oldfield, “are, ‘See you later’, when there is virtually no chance of that occurring anytime soon, and, ‘No worries’, after I have ordered a meal or drink in an establishment that has no role besides providing such a service.”
In response, Charles Oliver observed: “Tim missed one annoying phrase that I hear almost every day: ‘Take care’. Thank goodness you reminded me. I was just about to test the live rail at my local railway station with my tongue.”
Tony Manning added: “It drives me mad when I answer a series of questions and the response each time is: ‘Perfect’. At the end, I expect to be told: ‘Well done – 10 out of 10’.”
Frances Barker took aim at a similar habit: “My pet peeve – and it makes me very annoyed – is the response, ‘Amazing’. Not so bad, I suppose, if it’s a waiter after I’ve made my food choice, but mystifying when I’ve simply given my email or telephone number.”
Bill Payne offered a lone dissenting voice: “A number of your correspondents take exception to the expression, ‘See you later’. However, I was somewhat heartened when, just as the anaesthetic was taking hold before my hip operation, the surgeon said exactly that.” Which phrases have you heard enough of? Send your responses here and the best of the bunch will feature in a future edition of this newsletter.
Please confirm in your reply that you are happy to be featured and that we have your permission to use your name. |
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1789 | The French Revolution begins with the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris, now celebrated as Bastille Day
1983 | Mario Bros is released by Nintendo in Japan
2019 | England beat New Zealand in the most astonishing ODI World Cup final after a tied super over (see our front page from the following day covering the jubilation below)
2024 | Five years later to the day, it’s heartache for England in the Euro final after a 2-1 defeat by Spain (and in contrast to the cricket, see our front page encapsulating the devastation below)
Birthdays: Conor McGregor (38), Phoebe Waller-Bridge (41), David Mitchell (53), Howard Lutnick (65)
In the Italian Sacca di Goro lagoon at the mouth of the Po River, up to 90 per cent of clams have died, making bad news for those who enjoy tucking into a bowl of spaghetti alle vongole. What has caused these deaths?
1. Extreme temperatures
2. Water pollution
3. Drought
4. Trampling |
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The Telegraph has released a range of bite-sized puzzles perfect for a two-minute mental workout on the go. To celebrate, we are bringing you a different one each day this week. Today, try our Mini Panagram.
Plus, see the answer for yesterday’s Mini Crossword below:
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Thank you for reading. Have a fulfilling day and I hope to see you tomorrow. Chris Evans, Editor
P.S. I’d love to hear what you think of this newsletter. You can email me your feedback at fromtheeditor@telegraph.co.uk. |
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