Family Of Ann Widdecombe Murder Suspect ‘Flabbergasted’ After 28-Year-Old Arrested

The family (well, the uncle) of the 28-year-old man arrested in connection with the murder of Ann Widdecombe have claimed there were ‘no red flags’ and that they are ‘flabbergasted’ by the whole thing.

The 78-year-old former Tory MP and Reform spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, last week after being attacked by an intruder.

The suspect, a 28-year-old ‘reclusive loner’, drove 300 miles from Rotherham, South Yorkshire to Ann’s bungalow in Devon on the morning of the murder, before being arrested back at his address 3 days later.

His uncle, 73, who is unnamed for legal reasons, told The Sun: ’Never in a million years did I think he would be linked to this.

‘I’m just absolutely flabbergasted. I was in total shock when I found out about his arrest, but now I’m just numb.’

The uncle added he was a fan of Widdecombe, personally: ‘I liked Ann because she was forthright.

‘She called a spade a spade. She was strident and principled and that’s why people were so fond of her.’

He called his nephew ‘a gentle giant’, adding: ‘There have been no red flags at all’.

‘The only thing I can think of is is he’s been left on his own after his dad’s death and he’s spiralled.

‘He’s always been a quiet, polite lad, and very shy.’

The suspect lived alone at the Rotherham address, where his amputee father was said to have ‘done everything’ for him before his death from cancer in December.

Neighbours said he was reclusive bu friendly when they did encounter him and would take in parcels for them.

One said: “He was a recluse. I’ve known him ever since he was a child. He used to come to ours for tea.

“He’s painfully shy. Even back then he liked to stay in his bedroom.

“His Dad did everything for him. But seriously, I cannot tell you the last time I saw him. I didn’t even know he lived there.

“There was even mould over the car. That should give you an idea of how little he went out.

“He was just quiet. Very, very quiet.”

Alright, we get it. He was quiet, shy, reclusive and a loner.

The UK’s most senior counter-terror cop said there was evidence of “planning” behind the murder, which you’d think was pretty obvious.

The suspect is now being held on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism, as well as on suspicion of murder.

Meanwhile, an Aberdeen University worker is being investigated over her Tweets celebrating Ann’s death and wishing it was painful. I know she had some unpopular beliefs, but come on!