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Police launch an investigation into Ann Widdecombe death

(339 Posts)
62Granny Fri 10-Jul-26 15:45:03

breaking news on the BBC news site that they are investigating her death.
I didn't always agree with her opinions of her politics but would hate that her death had been tragic .RIP.

MissAdventure Sun 12-Jul-26 22:02:55

The 28 year old is still being held by police, who say there is nothing to suggest it's politically motivated.

Dickens Sun 12-Jul-26 22:06:35

Primrose53

Luckygirl3

That really does sound premedidated and targeted.

Yes it does. Why would anybody drive 270 miles taking a weapon with them without a motive? If he’s a loner who sits at home maybe on a computer or watching TV and hearing stuff like ”Reform are the greatest threat to the UK” then it may just tip him over the edge.

If he’s a loner who sits at home maybe on a computer or watching TV and hearing stuff like ”Reform are the greatest threat to the UK” then it may just tip him over the edge.

That is speculation.

If you wander around social media sites you will find that most political parties have been deemed to be the "greatest thread to the UK" by someone, at some point.

Perhaps the greatest threat comes from those who so easily get "tipped over the edge"?

Galaxy Sun 12-Jul-26 22:07:26

I just can't understand any of this really. It is beyond horrible but also utterly bizarre.

MissAdventure Sun 12-Jul-26 22:19:34

Exactly.
When I read it, I dismissed it as a load of rubbish, and I can't still get my head around it.

rafichagran Sun 12-Jul-26 22:32:55

Oreo

Rafichagran
Who are these Queen Bees you say? Well you tell us? It’s a total nonsense and figment of the imagination.
Each poster has their own opinion and there’s no bullying on here.

Just read your reply to me. Why should I tell you who the Queen bees are? I don't know myself. I stated that quite clearly. Bullying is not a figment of the imagination it goes on everywhere "Greyfur expressed a opinion and got jumped on. Another poster mentioned Queenbees.
That said this thread is about Ann, a woman I respected and enjoyed listening too.

MissAdventure Mon 13-Jul-26 01:34:07

I've just seen the cctv of the man being held, as he (apparently) started his journey to Ann's village. 257 miles away.

MartavTaurus Mon 13-Jul-26 02:40:34

I've a question.
Did the police bring him back down to Exeter for questioning, 5 hours away? When did the actual custody time start?

Sunshinegirls Mon 13-Jul-26 07:09:22

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the biggest threat to UK was not Russia or Iran but Reform UK.

Such irresponsible (blatantly absurd) demonisation of Nigel Farage’s party could stir up hatred in impressionable young men online,

Was dear Reformer Ann Widdecombe a victim of “online hate” spread by hysterical, poisonous progressives?

If so the self-righteous left has a lot to answer for. ALISON PEARSON Daily Telegraph on X

I agree with her

MayBee70 Mon 13-Jul-26 08:02:51

If any party stirs up hatred it’s Reform. It’s what they do. Ed Davey is right.

MartavTaurus Mon 13-Jul-26 08:12:16

Whoa, whoa, hold up a minute!

The police have told us this is not a politically motivated crime. I do agree that the online left progressives are particularly vociferous, demonise Farage, and distort the picture, and I do agree that the Reform Party has stirred up strong feelings of resentment. But it would appear that this aspect wasn't the driving force behind the murder in this case. We don't yet know the full story behind it.

Locally in Devon it has been said that the first man arrested is presumed to be the brother of the second man arrested, and that he is a tradesman - had he possibly worked at the house of Ann Widdecombe? We don't know. I'm not speculating here, just reporting.

Casdon Mon 13-Jul-26 08:13:47

It does feel as though some people actively want this to be a politically motivated murder. Is it because that would give a focus for their feelings of anger, rather than if it turns out to be a pathetic individual with a personal grudge?

Chocolatelovinggran Mon 13-Jul-26 08:15:34

Sunshinegirls, the police, who have spoken to the suspect, day that this awful crime was not politically motivated.
Alison Pearson has never met this man, as far as I know, has decided that it might be.
I think, on this occasion, I would prefer to believe those who have been at the interviews of the accused.

Primrose53 Mon 13-Jul-26 08:16:57

Sunshinegirls

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the biggest threat to UK was not Russia or Iran but Reform UK.

Such irresponsible (blatantly absurd) demonisation of Nigel Farage’s party could stir up hatred in impressionable young men online,

Was dear Reformer Ann Widdecombe a victim of “online hate” spread by hysterical, poisonous progressives?

If so the self-righteous left has a lot to answer for. ALISON PEARSON Daily Telegraph on X

*I agree with her*

This is what I was referring to in my earlier post. That kind of drip, drip talk to a very isolated, lonely person could have very serious consequences.

Sunshinegirls Mon 13-Jul-26 08:20:36

08:02*MayBee*70

My point exactly hatred from the Left directed at Reform and its supporters.

Sunshinegirls Mon 13-Jul-26 08:23:34

08:16*Primrose*53

I agree Primrose 👍

Casdon Mon 13-Jul-26 08:34:32

Primrose53

Sunshinegirls

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the biggest threat to UK was not Russia or Iran but Reform UK.

Such irresponsible (blatantly absurd) demonisation of Nigel Farage’s party could stir up hatred in impressionable young men online,

Was dear Reformer Ann Widdecombe a victim of “online hate” spread by hysterical, poisonous progressives?

If so the self-righteous left has a lot to answer for. ALISON PEARSON Daily Telegraph on X

*I agree with her*

This is what I was referring to in my earlier post. That kind of drip, drip talk to a very isolated, lonely person could have very serious consequences.

Do you mean that it’s had an similar impact as on the young man last week who was jailed because he was plotting racially motivated murders of his colleagues at Asda? Should politicians stop saying what they think about their opponents because of the potential impact on the mindset of disturbed young people?

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Mon 13-Jul-26 09:21:01

I’m not at all sure this is a politically motivated murder.

There’s a photo of the accused leaving ‘a property’ belonging to AW so the possibility is a disgruntled tenant or a relative in my opinion.

Time will tell of course.

AGAA4 Mon 13-Jul-26 09:26:08

How many times do the police have to say don't speculate. Anyone can read the posts on these threads and some of the speculation has become absurd.
The police have told us this crime is not political. Do people not have the patience to wait for further updates.

A woman has been brutally murdered and some people are trying to make this about Reform. Callous.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Mon 13-Jul-26 09:38:08

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Mon 13-Jul-26 09:38:34

Sorry wrong thread.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Mon 13-Jul-26 09:41:48

I don’t think it’s about Reform.

Kandinsky Mon 13-Jul-26 09:46:46

Well it’s a targeted attack of some description - who travels 100’s of miles to a remote part of the country with a stick for nothing?

Silvershadow Mon 13-Jul-26 10:04:15

They say he was a depressed loner who never went out and lived like a hermit. But he was well enough to drive a car to Dartmoor and back all in the space of a day.

Somebody online claimed he was a brother of a Devon resident. Maybe there’s a link there somewhere. We will find out in due course. He will have to be charged soon.

If he claims the mental health route, should he even have been driving?

Iam64 Mon 13-Jul-26 10:09:40

“Mental health route”. People with various my problems are drivers

Claiming the mh route is usually something the investigating officers pick up on

Cossy Mon 13-Jul-26 11:22:37

“Shinamae

Cossy
Oh please ladies. Can we just wait and see exactly what the police and coroner say.

Speculation is useful.

Yes, the situation itself is scary.

Let’s just not keep jumping on each others every word. It’s not healthy.

Please thanks

Goodnight one and all thanks
I think you should practice what you preach“

That’s exactly the “goady” type of comment I’ve sadly come to expect from some on here.

I haven’t speculated!