Police continue to question a suspect in Ann Widdecombe’s murder.

Police continue to question for a third day a suspect in the murder of politician Anne Widdecombe.

A 28-year-old white Englishman from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was initially arrested on Saturday on suspicion of murder, before being re-arrested on Monday on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Widdecombe, 78, a former Conservative minister and spokeswoman for Reform UK, was found dead at her home in Devon on Thursday, suffering from severe head injuries.

Police had 96 hours from the time of his arrest on Saturday to charge the suspect in the murder.

But a person arrested under the Terrorism Act can be held for up to two weeks without charge.

On Monday, it was confirmed that counter-terrorism police were leading the investigation into Widdecombe’s death, after Devon and Cornwall Police said there was “no indication” the killing was politically motivated.

Counter-Terrorism Police South East (CTPSE) said it had taken over the investigation after new information “came to light”.

National Counter-Terrorism Police chief Lawrence Taylor said the new arrests “followed progress made by our police colleagues in Devon and Cornwall” and that they were working to establish “the motivation behind this attack”.

“Our priority is to carry out this investigation quickly, to the best of our ability. If anyone has information, please share it with the police,” he said.

The announcement comes hours before the former Conservative minister is believed to have been attacked at her home in Devon after the suspect was seen on CCTV getting into a Yorkshire car at 08:00 BST on Wednesday morning.

Devon and Cornwall Police said they believe Widdecombe was attacked at around 12.30pm on Wednesday.