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Police launch an investigation into Ann Widdecombe death

(574 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.

LemonJam Thu 16-Jul-26 11:21:49

That. was in reply to 10.39 post:
"There has been constant criticism of the police for at least the last decade, in terms of racism, misogyny, I am a little surprised that people are concerned about criticism now.
I think from what I remember the force concerned only came out of special measures last year? , so I think some expressing of concern is understandable.

LemonJam Thu 16-Jul-26 11:28:04

Why is some expression of concern warranted about a police force that was found last July to be compliant with performance standards? That is neither logical or understandable.

AGAA4 Thu 16-Jul-26 11:28:09

The armchair police always appear at times like this. Never having been trained or faced with this most difficult if jobs they still seem to know better.

Luckygirl3 Thu 16-Jul-26 13:03:51

Just let them get on with the job I say.

I agree.

If a police force is found to have acted wrongly then investigation is important; but this is ongoing - they have barely had a chance to get on with the job.

Iam64 Thu 16-Jul-26 14:43:58

Well said AFGA4 and Lucky

Doodledog Thu 16-Jul-26 16:03:50

Galaxy

Because criticism of the police has been pretty much constant doodledog and often not on a case by case basis but as a broad approach to the police.
I also think people expressing a different viewpoint are perfectly able to think for themselves rather than dancing to anyone's tune.

If you think people are able to think for themselves, why are you surprised that some are concerned about criticism now? It may be the heat, but that doesn't make sense to me.

Galaxy Thu 16-Jul-26 18:03:11

You are probably right doodledog. I suppose I think there might be a tribal element to it, it is ok for this group to criticise the police but not this group.
I think it is a bit of an amalgam of what happens when institutions are regularly undermined and also what happens when institutions lose public trust, I realise that might be a contradiction. I don't think this is specific to the police, I think something has happened in terms of the publics relationship with a number of institutions.

Galaxy Thu 16-Jul-26 18:11:53

As an aside I see HH ( he of the hideous comments on ann Widdecombes death) has been arrested. I take no pleasure in that and am really not keen on people being arrested for speech, however vile. However I think we may not know all the details in that case either.

Dickens Thu 16-Jul-26 20:38:34

Galaxy

As an aside I see HH ( he of the hideous comments on ann Widdecombes death) has been arrested. I take no pleasure in that and am really not keen on people being arrested for speech, however vile. However I think we may not know all the details in that case either.

Whilst I share your concern about free speech - maybe the Law has to consider whether such comments might lead to events that will require the police to "keep the peace"?

Social media can be something of a tinder-box for the less well-regulated individual... the worst-case-scenario for completely unregulated free speech is the possibility of vigilante gangs and groups causing public mayhem and anarchy.

Just thinking out loud really.

Galaxy Thu 16-Jul-26 20:49:33

Actually as I thought it seems to be once you start digging around someone's social media posts you are likely to unearth all sorts of things. I don't think it was just that tweet, there is more info coming out.
However under no circumstances would I want anyone imprisoned for the words he said about Ann widdecombe. I am relieved to see many saying the same.
Even the speech we hate.

ViceVersa Thu 16-Jul-26 21:24:24

Trust me, unless you have a very strong stomach, you do NOT want to go digging around HH's social media, nor the other members of his 'polycule'!

Galaxy Thu 16-Jul-26 21:26:10

Oh I know!

MartavTaurus Mon 20-Jul-26 19:12:32

28 year old man charged.

Aveline Mon 20-Jul-26 19:17:01

Good. If it's the right person.

Bellanonna Mon 20-Jul-26 19:20:01

Well they’ve had him in custody for a while so presumably he is.

Casdon Mon 20-Jul-26 19:25:32

Aveline

Good. If it's the right person.

Surely he must be, because both his car and him were captured on CCTV at her home?

Aveline Mon 20-Jul-26 20:17:26

I know. It's that the wording on BBC website was a bit odd.

Casdon Mon 20-Jul-26 20:26:25

I think that it means they know he definitely committed the murder, but they still haven’t pieced together exactly what motivated him, whether he was paid to do it, and who/which organisations or foreign powers he was linked to. The beginning of justice is his imprisonment, but presumably there may be more to come?

Jaxjacky Mon 20-Jul-26 20:51:05

Joshua Kerry, he will appear in court tomorrow.

nightowl Mon 20-Jul-26 20:52:41

I’m struggling to believe he completed that journey in the timescale described. I’m very familiar with that drive and it just doesn’t add up. I know there are a lot of conspiracy theories online and I’m not getting involved in those, but I just can’t believe it could be done at that time of day so quickly.

Graphite Mon 20-Jul-26 21:18:20

Having arrested him and knowing what car he drives, police will probably have examined camera data to track his return journey to and from Ms Widdecombe’s home.

Police have charged him with murder but not (yet) the further suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism on which he was rearrested.

The PACE clock was ticking but CPS must think there is ample sufficient evidence to prosecute on the murder charge.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing latest statement here:

www.facebook.com/reel/1588091459398859?locale=en_GB

Shinamae Tue 21-Jul-26 14:27:08

This 28-year-old has now been charged with Anne Widdecombes murder, The autopsy said she was hit on the head with a hammer 21 times!! 😢

MawsRosie Tue 21-Jul-26 14:53:08

All I can say - and indeed all anybody can say if this is now sub judice
- is WHY?

Casdon Tue 21-Jul-26 15:11:26

I get the impression from what Laurence Taylor said that the murderer spent a huge amount of his time online, and with over 800 different lines of investigation identified so far he must have been engaged with a lot of different people/organisations. I think it could be months before they can answer the Why?

MartavTaurus Tue 21-Jul-26 15:12:34

Shinamae

This 28-year-old has now been charged with Anne Widdecombes murder, The autopsy said she was hit on the head with a hammer 21 times!! 😢

That's awful.