Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has claimed the outgoing Prime Minister told him that Ann Widdecombe’s killing was a botched robbery, despite ongoing investigations from Devon and Cornwall Police into a potential murder probe.
The Reform UK leader claims to have questioned both Sir Keir Starmer and the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police several times following the announcement of the former MP’s tragic death last week.
He told TalkTV: “They both told me it’s a burglary that’s gone wrong. I said no it is not, a burglar does not park his car on your drive and walk into the house.
“A burglar parks in the lay-by down the road and has a getaway driver.
“I went to Dartmoor on Saturday and said I had no doubt this is a premeditated murder. I received tonnes of abuse for saying it, but sadly it’s proved that I’m right. It was obvious.”
A series of public statements from the force earlier insisted there was nothing to suggest Ann Widdecombe’s killing had been politically motivated – now called into question with counter terrorism police taking a lead on the investigation.
Detectives earlier said Ann Widdecombe’s death was a “targeted attack” and that whether the suspect in the alleged murder was targeting Reform UK figures will be a “line of investigation”.
Reform sources have questioned whether the suspect might have been motivated by the former MP’s politics, with one saying: “It is clear to everybody that we are being gaslit by the police.”
Nigel Farage said he had ‘no doubt’ it was a premeditated killing
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PA
The police investigation is also probing whether left-wing extremism or other political motives were behind the killing, it has been reported.
Ann Widdecombe was found dead in her home in Devon last Thursday.
A 28-year-old white British man was then arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, with counter-terrorism police taking over the investigation on Monday.
The latest from Counter Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, saw him say: “It is clear that this was a targeted attack.
“We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack.
“I don’t want to comment further on that motivation or preparation at this stage of our inquiries.”
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK spokesman, today accused Devon and Cornwall Police of an “inadequate” response to Ann Widdecombe’s killing.
Mr Yusuf told a press conference: “Aside from the shock and the grief there was an overwhelming sense of fear amongst the Reform MPs.
Counter Terrorism Police are leading the investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s murder
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PA“What was going through my mind is how I would I react if I was in a position to discharge these sorts of resources, state resources?
“I would operate on the basis that our democracy was sacrosanct, I would not allow it be threatened.
“And if there are serving MPs who are colleagues of an amazing woman who had been barbarically murdered, who had outspoken political views that those colleagues often shared, that they felt safe.
“And I would go to the end of the earth to make sure nothing happened to them.”
In response to the rising threat to the lives of politicians, Reform UK has demanded full security be provided to all politicians who desire it, both serving and former.
Mr Yusuf said the budget for additional security, which currently stands at £4million, should be increased to as much as £100million, and could also extend to councillors and MP staffers in the future.
Highlighting derogatory comments made by Labour politicians about the late 78-year-old, Mr Yusuf condemned Sir Keir and his cabinet for their past remarks.