MEMBERS of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel have held a minute’s silence in memory of former MP Ann Widdecombe found dead at her home on Dartmoor last week as a murder probe continues.

Cllr Chris Penberthy (Lab, St Peter and the Waterfront, Plymouth) said at a meeting of the panel in Plymouth’s Council House on Friday it was appropriate for members to honour the 78-year-old who as well as being a former Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years also served as a South West MEP and minister of state for prisons.

Police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez said they all had different memories of Ann and their thoughts were with her family at this time.

Counter terrorism police have said Miss Widdecombe was killed in her home at Haytor Vale in a “targeted attack” on July 8.

A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham remains under arrest on suspicion of commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism, as well as on suspicion of murder.

Miss Widdecombe was a spokesperson for Reform UK, after joining the party, then known as the Brexit Party, in 2019.

The commissioner said security for politicians was being reviewed by the Devon and Cornwall chief constable James Vaughan as a result of Miss Widdecombe’s death.

He had promptly met with chief executives across local authority areas following the incident which local councillors were “grateful for”.

“You will be aware that counter terrorism are leading the investigation and treating it as a targeted attack,” she said. “I am sure this will be unsettling for some of you but I know our communities value our willingness as politicians to put ourselves in the public eye so we can continue to make life better for the people we represent

“I can reassure you the chief constable is reviewing the security arrangements provided to members of parliament and I am working within him to assess the implications this tragedy has for all of us who choose to serve in public life.”

She highlighted Operation Ford which was launched last year by the police aiming to strengthen protective security and policing support for councillors, elected mayors, police and crime commissioners and candidates for those roles.

She reiterated the statement she made earlier this week defending Devon and Cornwall Police after the investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death was handed over to counter terrorism officers.

Three days after Miss Widdecombe was found dead the force said there was “nothing to suggest” the attack on the former minister was politically motivated.

But later new information came to light which changed the focus of the investigation.

Answering a question from Cllr Phillip Hackett (Ind, Torridge, Broadheath) who said he felt the force should have not been so robust in their original statement, Miss Hernandez said: “I am confident Devon and Cornwall police has provided a substantial and professional response to the killing of Ann Widdecombe

“Counter terrorism have been involved since day one alongside Devon and Cornwall Police they have not just flown in at the end.

“I have had assurance from the head of counter terrorism Laurence Taylor that there has been a smooth handover to the leadership of the investigation now in light of the evidence that it is in relation to counter terrorism.”

She reminded the panel that no-one had yet been charged and the suspect could be held for up to seven days.