British counterterrorism police have taken over the investigation into the death of former politician Ann Widdecombe<\/span>, according to the U.K. home secretary, after “new information” came to light.<\/p>\n “This morning I have spoken to the head of [Counter Terrorism Policing],” Shabana Mahmood wrote on X. “Following new information and evidence, they are now leading on the investigation into the horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe.”<\/p>\n “The police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack,” she said, adding that she would be giving further information to parliament later on Monday.<\/p>\n A murder investigation was launched Friday after Widdecombe was found dead at her home on Thursday in Haytor, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in southwest England, according to police.\u00a0<\/p>\n The 78-year-old former Conservative member of parliament had “sustained serious injuries,” police said.<\/p>\n On Saturday, British police arrested a 28-year-old man in South Yorkshire in northern England, more than 200 miles from where Widdecombe was found dead.<\/p>\n The suspect was originally arrested on suspicion of murder. He has been rearrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, Counter Terrorism Policing South East said.<\/p>\n Widdecombe served as a lawmaker from 1987 to 2010. She was known for socially conservative views opposing abortion and any expansion of LGBTQ+ rights.<\/p>\n She found fame after leaving Parliament as a contestant on the “Strictly Come Dancing” and “Celebrity Big Brother” reality television shows.\u00a0<\/p>\n Widdecombe later joined the Brexit Party and became a spokeswoman for the anti-immigration Reform UK party.\u00a0<\/p>\n Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson called her a “heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker who could move Tory audiences to such ecstasy that she was a very hard act to follow.”<\/p>\n