Anne Widdecombe was killed in a ‘targeted attack’ as police investigated the cause.

Ann Widdecombe was killed in a “targeted attack” and detectives are still working to determine the cause, police said.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of counter-terrorism policing, is being investigated as part of the investigation into an appearance on Talk TV by the former Conservative minister, a spokesman for Reform UK, on ​​the morning of her murder in her Devon home.

Asked whether the killer may have targeted other reform figures in a New Scotland Yard update, he said he could not comment.

Detectives have obtained a warrant under the Terrorism Act to remand a 28-year-old man in Rotherham on suspicion of murder for up to seven days.

The body of Widdecombe, 78, was found at her home in Haytor on Thursday, July 9. She was seriously injured in what police believe was an attack the previous day.

A 28-year-old white Englishman was arrested on Saturday. They were arrested again on Monday on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of terrorist acts.

Taylor said the counter-terrorism investigation is “running in parallel” with the homicide investigation, but the suspected killing “has not been determined to be a terrorist incident at this stage.”

“It is clear this was a targeted attack, and we are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation and the motivation behind the attack,” he told reporters.

“I don’t want to comment on what that motive is.”

Taylor added: “There are a number of lines of inquiry that we are pursuing immediately, including a number of digital forensic investigations.