The man now suspected and arrested in connection with the murder of Reform UK politician Ann Widdecombe in Devon last Wednesday is said to have driven more than 400 kilometres from Rotherham carrying a wooden club, according to CCTV footage revealed by The Sun.
According to the police’s timeline of Widdecombe’s death, the 78-year-old was killed by blunt force trauma to the head approximately five hours after the suspect set off, the English newspaper reports.
A doorbell camera at her home proved crucial to the breakthrough in the investigation.
Anti-terrorism police with specialist resources helped trace the suspect to his home in Yorkshire.
CCTV footage obtained by The Sun showed police arriving to arrest him shortly before 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Officers wearing balaclavas stormed the terraced house and arrested the suspect without resistance.
Neighbours are shocked.
Local residents said the suspect had lived there alone after his father died shortly after Christmas. He is believed to be one of three brothers.
A female neighbour said: “He has never been in trouble. He has always accepted my parcels and put my bins out. It’s shocking.”
Police insist there is no indication that the murder was politically motivated.
The Sun also reports that Widdecombe’s house had been shown on national television shortly before the murder.
The television channel Quest broadcast an episode of Celebrity Yorkshire Auction House on 2 July featuring the late 78-year-old politician, according to television listings.
The episode shows the interior of Ann’s £600,000 bungalow on Dartmoor in detail as she gives presenter Angus Ashworth a guided tour.
The hour-long episode from season two was originally broadcast in 2022, but was repeated at 6.00 p.m., five days before she was killed.
The Sun is careful to state that nothing suggests the television footage inspired the murder. Others will inevitably draw somewhat different conclusions.
Following Widdecombe’s murder, Reform UK MPs have been placed under round-the-clock protection, the Daily Mail reports.
In connection with the criticism of private financial donations to Nigel Farage, it has been pointed out that some of those donations were used to pay for the party leader’s security, which the authorities reportedly failed to provide.