Police launch an investigation into Ann Widdecombe death

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

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!! 😢

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

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.

Joshua Kerry, he will appear in court tomorrow.

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?

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

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?

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

Good. If it's the right person.

28 year old man charged.

Oh I know!

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'!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Well said AFGA4 and Lucky

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.

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.

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.

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.

Criticism of the police on specific occasions when warranted is fair enough and we have such threads on occasion on GN. To say it is constant criticism in my view is an exaggeration, untrue, unfair and unwarranted in my view.

Police forces carry out a difficult job, with constrained resources, in a challenging environment with high expectations on an often hostile media spotlight.

Hospitals, schools, police forces, prisons, fire services etc etc all face regular and periodic inspection against stringent, performance standards and targets (CQC, Ofsted etc). Special measures, improvement plans etc put in place where specific improvements needed to meet specific standards.

Devon and C police force was removed from enhanced *engage8 phase in July 2025 following significant improvements in a few areas of the broad range of standards that required improvement- call handling, crime recording and the management of violent and sexual offenders. The HMICFRS full report easily found on line. By definition that means the force was meeting ALL the other standards.

Good that there are high standards in place for public services- good that they are regularly inspected, good that support is in place where improvement is needed and good that Devon and Cornwall police subsequently improved to meet the full array of inspectorate standards. Why knock them now?

The funding constraints that make these services hard to lead and deliver is an entirely different kettle of fish! A separate post maybe- if we want perfect public services that meet 100% performance standards, 100% of the time perhaps more funding might help.

Bashing the D and C police force /CT in current AW enquiry I just don't understand. Just let them get on with the job I say.

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.