Police launch an investigation into Ann Widdecombe death

On the 6pm R4 news they repeated what the police are saying after the the release of the man they arrested.

They are still looking for a white male and still clear it was not a political or terrorist perpetrator

They have clearly information they have not released: and it obviously cannot be released as to how.

Luckygirl3

Indeed - including my sibling ... I am quite worried.

I had to smile when listening to so many broadcasters saying about this murder of a little old lady - I am pretty sure she would not have appreciated that description ......

Indeed - including my sibling ... I am quite worried.

I'd imagine there's a police presence in and around the area - especially as the investigation is now ongoing which will be a deterrent. The area is probably safer now than it was. But still unsettling.

Indeed - including my sibling ... I am quite worried.

I had to smile when listening to so many broadcasters saying about this murder of a little old lady - I am pretty sure she would not have appreciated that description ......

Kandinsky

*I wonder how they can say it wasn’t terror related or politically motivated, how would they know what the motivation was?*

Well exactly - they haven’t found the murderer yet so how do they know what the motive was?

I'd imagine that calculation was made at the time they thought they'd arrested the perpetrator, and were basing their conclusions on whatever was going on in the interview room at that time.

The police are under so much pressure now when such horrible crimes are committed.

Back in the day, they could focus on finding the criminal, now they have to be mindful of a distrusting public who can be quite cynical.

When so little is known, it must be quite frightening for other residents in and around that area.

I don’t think a woman should feel guilty about having an abortion if she feels it’s the best decision for her / and her family. Equally, not all women could cope with a Down’s syndrome child, which is why our NHS offer screening in early pregnancy, amino etc.
However, I feel the 24 week limit is far too late, but appreciate some conditionings are not picked up until the 20 week scan.

I didn’t agree with her views on abortion or gay rights but she was very honest in her views what you see is what you get sort of thing.

It sounds as if she was a loyal friend which is always admirable and nobody deserves to die in a violent way . I’m very sad for her

travelsafar

This has bought tears to my eyes.
Poor Anne she must have been so frightened and defenseless.
Breaks my heart to think this was the end of her life in such a violent way.😢😢😢

My sentiments exactly, regardless of any personal opinions. She was a lady living alone, as many are, enjoying her later life in the way she wished.
RIP Ann, you were always interesting in your thoughts and opinions.

Well yes because unlike the be kind warriors many gay people understand that people can hold all sorts of views and we can rub along.
Two of my closest friends believe TWAW, one knows my very different views and one I am sure has guessed them ( we don't discuss those kind of issues), we care for each other a great deal. It is how things used to be about 5 minutes ago before the world went a bit crazy.

TV presenter and journalist Andrew Pierce has written a very lengthy and emotional tribute to Ann who was a best friend for years. He is gay and is married to a man and even though Ann did not agree with either they still remained friends. He said she was a wonderful friend, like him a Catholic and they met regularly and she rang him all the time. He is heartbroken.

travelsafar

This has bought tears to my eyes.
Poor Anne she must have been so frightened and defenseless.
Breaks my heart to think this was the end of her life in such a violent way.😢😢😢

Quite. I agree with Fallingstar that this miserable ** needs taking off the streets asap.
I once saw Ann Widdacombe on the platform at Kings Cross St Pancras and I was astonished by how small she was.
They never pick on some strapping guy with tattoos on his tattoos do they ?
A fragile lady nearly 80 years old. Just the ticket .

Perhaps police ruled out political motivation because there were signs of robbery, drawers and cupboards open, that kind of thing, that could indicate robbery being the prime motive.
But one wonders why he didn’t just go , as an elderly woman was hardly posing a physical threat.

It sounds as though they have an idea of who it is, it’s finding him. And they don’t tell the public everything.

We've all seen too many police dramas. I suspect I'm not the only one who can imagine the stress the SIO is under. Many bad tempered meetings and pressure from on high.

The assistant chief constable said yesterday that they did not believe at this stage that the killing was politically motivated.
He did not rule it out.

Kandinsky

*I wonder how they can say it wasn’t terror related or politically motivated, how would they know what the motivation was?*

Well exactly - they haven’t found the murderer yet so how do they know what the motive was?

There may be evidence unreleased to the public to rule it out, that's why.
They are hardly going to got say what it is, are they now?

I did like her as a person maybe not all her views. She was a very modern woman who retained her integrity even when being dragged around the dance floor. I should imagine she was a good loyal friend and enjoyed life.I am so glad she had a strong deep faith. She will be with her maker now RIP.

I wonder how they can say it wasn’t terror related or politically motivated, how would they know what the motivation was?

Well exactly - they haven’t found the murderer yet so how do they know what the motive was?

You've said some quite controversial things there Cumbrianmale56 and bazza

I would suggest we leave politics out of it until and unless it is established it is.

Bazza

I didn’t agree at all with any of Ann Widdicome’s politics or opinions, but I respected her for resolutely standing up to what she believed was right. I can’t believe the vitriol that has been posted about her. I found it very odd that her death was reported as if it was from natural causes and was very shocked to hear she was murdered. If the police now have no one in custody I wonder how they can say it wasn’t terror related or politically motivated, how would they know what the motivation was?

Same as me, some of her opinions would seem old fashioned to some people, but Ann was a very traditional person and very religious. Not being in favour of gay marriage doesn't make someone a terrible person, but her critics can't see past this.
She did make me laugh once when said Michael Howard had something of the night about him.

It just gets worse.

Terribly sorry to hear about this.

They’ve narrowed it down considerably because she spoke to a researcher for a show she was due to appear on at 1 pm and when they contacted her again some 30 minutes later to go in in zoom, she did not reply. They raised the alarm with her agent. All on the bbc.

The news gets worse , the poor woman was attacked 24 hours before she was found , so awful , so sad

I didn’t agree at all with any of Ann Widdicome’s politics or opinions, but I respected her for resolutely standing up to what she believed was right. I can’t believe the vitriol that has been posted about her. I found it very odd that her death was reported as if it was from natural causes and was very shocked to hear she was murdered. If the police now have no one in custody I wonder how they can say it wasn’t terror related or politically motivated, how would they know what the motivation was?

It’s clear from the bbc footage that she had a Ring type doorbell with camera. Unless the door was unlocked, she would have had to open it to let him in. Could it be somebody that she knew, a tradesperson or similar, somebody with whom she had a dispute. It will either be a random, unlikely in such a remote area but not unheard of, or somebody that she has had previous dealings with.

I don’t think it could be some sort of fantasist, surely. Why would anybody think that. Still nothing would surprise me in this country these days.

I’m not entirely in tune with her political views but, come what may, she was a frail elderly lady who did not deserve to die in this way after years and years of public service.