Police investigating the alleged murder of Ann Widdecombe are examining whether the suspect may have been planning to target other political figures, as detectives continue to explore the motive behind the shocking attack that has rocked Westminster and prompted renewed concerns over the safety of public officials.

Counter Terrorism Policing formally took over the investigation earlier this week after officers said new evidence had emerged, transforming what had initially been treated as a local murder inquiry into a major national investigation involving terrorism specialists.

Ann, 78, the former Conservative cabinet minister who later became Reform UK’s justice and immigration spokesman, was found dead at her remote Dartmoor home on Wednesday following what police have described as a targeted attack.

A 28-year-old man remains in custody on suspicion of murder as well as terrorism-related offences, with detectives granted extended powers under the Terrorism Act to continue questioning him while inquiries gather pace.

Speaking during a press briefing, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor confirmed that investigators are examining multiple potential motives and are working to establish whether the attack formed part of a wider plan.

“It is clear that this was a targeted attack,” Mr Taylor said.

“We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack.”

Although police declined to provide further details about the suspected motivation, Mr Taylor acknowledged that officers had uncovered evidence suggesting there had been planning before the fatal incident.

“In terms of the preparation and planning, we are aware that there has been some preparation and planning,” he said, adding that investigators are pursuing numerous lines of inquiry simultaneously.

One of the key questions now facing detectives is whether Ann was the only intended victim or whether other politicians may also have been under threat.

Asked directly whether investigators were examining the possibility that the suspect had intended to target additional Reform UK politicians, Mr Taylor said such inquiries formed an important part of the investigation.

“Clearly, part of our responsibility when investigating offences of this nature is to assure ourselves and therefore the public and others of any extent of threat,” he explained.

“That will form a line of investigation to ensure that we are putting all appropriate measures in place to mitigate any threat, should it become apparent.”

“I’m not saying there is or there isn’t at this stage.”

His comments are likely to heighten concerns among current and former MPs following a series of attacks against politicians in recent years, including the murders of Sir David Amess in 2021 and Jo Cox in 2016.

Police also confirmed they are examining whether Ann’s appearance on TalkTV on the morning of her death played any role in the suspect’s alleged planning.

The veteran broadcaster had appeared on television at around 8am on Wednesday before later returning to her home on Dartmoor, where investigators believe she was attacked around lunchtime.

Detectives are now working to establish precisely when the suspect allegedly travelled from South Yorkshire to Devon and whether her television appearance may have influenced the timing of the incident.

Mr Taylor confirmed that officers are exploring every possibility.

“We’re exploring all lines of inquiry, and that is one of the lines of inquiry that we’ll be exploring,” he said.

As part of the investigation, officers have reportedly seized around eight hours of CCTV footage from a petrol station near Exeter, hoping the recordings may help trace the suspect’s movements before and after the alleged attack.

Forensic teams have also spent several days searching a property in Rotherham following the arrest of the suspect on Saturday evening.

Images released during the investigation showed forensic officers entering and leaving the address while specialist teams continued examining evidence recovered from inside the property.

Investigators are understood to have recovered electronic devices along with various political materials that are now undergoing detailed forensic analysis.

According to reports, officers have discovered literature representing a range of political ideologies, including material linked to Russia, although police have stressed that investigators have not yet reached any conclusions regarding possible motives.

The suspect has now been granted extended detention under terrorism legislation, allowing officers additional time to question him while digital examinations continue.

Mr Taylor emphasized that the inquiry remains focused on determining exactly what happened.

“There are multiple lines of inquiry that we are pursuing expeditiously, and that includes a number of digital forensic examinations,” he said.

“It is important to remember that this is a murder investigation following a brutal attack on a 78-year-old lady in her home.”

The investigation has also prompted scrutiny of the way the case was initially handled by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Local detectives first stated there was no indication that terrorism was involved and suggested there was no evidence of a political motive.

However, just days later, the inquiry was transferred to Counter Terrorism Policing after fresh evidence emerged.

The shift prompted criticism from Reform UK, with party figures questioning why officers had initially appeared to rule out terrorism before the investigation dramatically changed direction.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez defended the force’s actions, insisting investigators had responded appropriately based on the evidence available at each stage.

She argued that major investigations frequently evolve as new information emerges.

“There has been some commentary about the way Devon and Cornwall Police have communicated during the early stages of this case,” she said.

“But, as the Home Secretary said yesterday, it is not unusual that in a fast-paced investigation, more information comes to light that changes the nature or the character of what the police are dealing with.”

Ms Hernandez also praised officers working on the inquiry and said she had been impressed by the efforts made to reassure local residents living near the extensive police cordon around Ann’s remote property.

She acknowledged that the large-scale operation had inevitably disrupted normal policing across the region but said frontline services were expected to return to normal in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage visited the area over the weekend to lay flowers near the scene, joining growing numbers of mourners paying tribute to Ann.

Floral tributes continue to accumulate outside the police cordon as supporters remember the outspoken former minister, whose political career spanned decades and included service as both a Conservative MP and later a prominent voice for Reform UK.

The killing has shocked politicians across the political spectrum and reignited debate about the personal security of elected representatives, particularly those who maintain a strong public profile or express controversial political views.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that the suspect was not known to the Government’s Prevent deradicalisation programme before his arrest.

Police continue to appeal for information as officers work to piece together the suspect’s movements, communications and possible motivations in the days leading up to Ann’s death.

With digital evidence still being examined and multiple investigative avenues remaining open, detectives have stressed that it is too early to draw conclusions about the full circumstances surrounding the attack.

For now, investigators remain focused on establishing whether Ann was the sole target or whether the case points to a broader threat against political figures, while Britain watches closely as one of the country’s highest-profile criminal investigations continues to unfold.