Police launch an investigation into Ann Widdecombe death

There is no way a 78 year old woman deserved to die in this way.

That is indeed true. But those whom she harmed with her views and actions are bound to be speaking up, even though they will I am sure also abhor the manner of her death.

Social media is a blunt tool and people often express themselves more crudely than they might in real life. That is unfortunate, but some of her pronouncements hurt whole communities, especially the young.

Dreadful news!
Let's hope the police get to the truth as soon as possible.
May she rest in peace

Cumbrianmale56

I have never read so many hate filled posts than ones I saw about Ann Widdecombe on X and Digital Spy. Yes she didn't agree with gay marriage, she was deeply religious, she held views that seemed outdated, but so do millions of other people. There is no way a 78 year old woman deserved to die in this way.

Totally agree. The Socialist Worker also posted an aborant headline ( now removed ) and Peter Tatchell. I find that the far left are spiteful and full of hate for anyone who does not agree with their views. They start slinging insults instead of entering into an adult debate. You may not agree with Ann Widdecombe's views but show respect.

Plunger

Cumbrianmale56

I have never read so many hate filled posts than ones I saw about Ann Widdecombe on X and Digital Spy. Yes she didn't agree with gay marriage, she was deeply religious, she held views that seemed outdated, but so do millions of other people. There is no way a 78 year old woman deserved to die in this way.

Totally agree. The Socialist Worker also posted an aborant headline ( now removed ) and Peter Tatchell. I find that the far left are spiteful and full of hate for anyone who does not agree with their views. They start slinging insults instead of entering into an adult debate. You may not agree with Ann Widdecombe's views but show respect.

I saw that. Absolutely disgusting.

There was a truly disgusting and disgraceful post from a member of the Green Party. I have never read anything like it and the person involved should be jailed in my opinion. Remember Lucy Connolly was sent to prison for (I think) 2 years for her comments which she removed very shortly after posting. This Green Party woman is absolutely toxic.

Really tragic, the poor woman.

Haytor, the place she lived in Dartmoor, is it particularly rural? I wonder if she had an alarm and security?

So sad.

I just wonder if people say hateful things online because they are anonymous, they feel they can get away with it, I cannot believe they would say those kind of things publicly in everyday life.
They are cowards.

It looks really rural. I didn't agree with her views but she always had reasonings for her opinions. Poor Ann

Fallingstar

I just wonder if people say hateful things online because they are anonymous, they feel they can get away with it, I cannot believe they would say those kind of things publicly in everyday life.
They are cowards.

I think that in some instances, that is certainly true. It's easy for people to rant and rave from the anonymity of their keyboard - but some of the worst comments about Ann Widdecombe that I've seen (particularly on X and BlueSky) are not from anonymous accounts. On the contrary, some of them actually seem very proud of their vile posts.

A lot of them aren't anonymous though, and crikey if I had to choose between tatchell or widdecombe, it would be ann every time.

The Green Party woman was not anonymous. The Police should definitely be speaking to her.

Galaxy

A lot of them aren't anonymous though, and crikey if I had to choose between tatchell or widdecombe, it would be ann every time.

Exactly!

I posted this on one of the other threads regarding this awful murder, but worth repeating because an illustration of just how hateful this element of the trans lobby are. Over on MN a link to X, Heather Herbert transwoman crowing over AW's murder, "I hope it was painful" What a vile person, I hope they get a visit from the police, but I won't hold my breath.

TerriBull

I posted this on one of the other threads regarding this awful murder, but worth repeating because an illustration of just how hateful this element of the trans lobby are. Over on MN a link to X, Heather Herbert transwoman crowing over AW's murder, "I hope it was painful" What a vile person, I hope they get a visit from the police, but I won't hold my breath.

Heather Herbert is a transgender activist who stood as a Labour Party candidate and later joined the Green Party.
thank you TerriBull.

I have been immensely saddened by what has happened to Anne Widdecombe. Not only by her murder which was as bad as bad can be but also by some of the things said about her by the keyboard warriors. Granted I have only read what some have written about what the so-called caring Left have said, I don’t want to read the vile abuse. I am so relieved that my political leanings veer towards Conservative thinking.
RIP Anne. My condolences to her family and friends.( Also to her cats if some still lived with her).

Yes, I’ve seen some truly shockingly disgusting posts about AW’s murder.
Probably posted by the same people who spend half their lives online posting about how awful Nigel Farage is.
So many hate filled people out there, who ironically, think they’re wonderful.

TerriBull

I posted this on one of the other threads regarding this awful murder, but worth repeating because an illustration of just how hateful this element of the trans lobby are. Over on MN a link to X, Heather Herbert transwoman crowing over AW's murder, "I hope it was painful" What a vile person, I hope they get a visit from the police, but I won't hold my breath.

I hope the police investigate and throw the book at her! What a vile person - this will do nothing for her 'cause'

Mumsnet have closed the discussion about AW to new messages.

The police have released the 26 year old male white without charge. I hope the killer is found soon.

I've come to the conclusion there isn't much to choose from the neo Nazi end of the far right, very distinct from the right as is the hard left as opposed to left leaning. Both extremes encompass some awful, awful people. The far left love to dress up their own intolerance with the bullshit "be kind" mantra. The left, who generally pride themselves on high ideals, need to take a long hard look at their compatriots who harbour a staggering amount of intolerance veering into hatred. I didn't agree with many of Ann's views on gay marriage, abortion etc. There are pov on both the left and right who I don't agree with. I would never wish any of them harm. Disagreements are part of life.

I do not think that stating a strong dislike for the views and actions of someone who has died is wrong, but not recognising the appalling nature of her death or actively being glad on SM are clearly inappropriate.

I don't really see them as left ( I am not trying to create a cop out) I am centre left and they hold no values similar to mine. Thats why I use the word progressives because I don't want to use the word left. They embrace misogyny, hold the working class in contempt, etc these aren't the values of the left.
Heather for example is a misogynistic man, none of what he has said is a surprise to me.

Yes agree Galaxy. Also agree it's permissable to profoundly disagree with a person's pov, without glorifying in their appalling murder. That to my mind makes such a person hateful, but nothing I wouldn't expect from a violent misogynist. I laugh at the progressive label these people give themselves most of their attitudes towards actual women are completely regressive in line with the type of old school uncompromising men who want to be and stay top dog.

Fallingstar

Strange that this individual was arrested rather than just being questioned. I can only imagine that he ran from the police/resisted their attempts to question him, or initially confessed - and some people will do this to draw attention to themselves - and then was discovered to be a fantasist. I doubt that hard evidence was present or he would not have been released.
Whatever the case the police have lost precious time and the murderer could be long gone. Just hoping they can get the culprit soon for the sake of the family and those fearing that a cold blooded murderer is on the loose.

Perhaps you are unfamiliar with police procedure in UK.

There are significant evidential and legal differences between "arrest" and "being questioned".

As we have absolutely NO IDEA what information the released person provided under arrest there are no grounds to suppose his arrest was a waste of police time or has hindered the case.

You're fantasising.

butterandjam there is a nicer way to disagree with a comment made.
Just for future reference.

Yes, fantasising was an unnecessary choice of word.