𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether Ann Widdecombe’s alleged killer was planning to attack other Reform UK politicians.

Miss Widdecombe was “targeted” by the alleged assailant, detectives probing the murder revealed.

And investigators are now examining whether the 28-year-old suspect was also plotting to attack other Reform politicians like Nigel Farage.

The revelations will prompt renewed fears over the safety of elected politicians facing a barrage of death and rape threats, abuse and intimidating behaviour.

But the Daily Express can reveal that counter-terrorism police and MI5 have not contacted Reform over the potential threat they are facing since Miss Widdecombe’s death on Wednesday.

Detectives responded to an email from party officials stating “they are not required to share any information with us”, it is understood.

Reform has recorded 1,577 threats against Farage since February, including 597 death threats.

In the month of June alone, Mr Farage received 529 threats.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor admitted officers are now investigating whether the suspect was plotting to attack other Reform politicians.

He told the Daily Express: “So clearly, part of our responsibility when investigating offences of this nature is to assure ourselves and therefore the public and others of any extant of threat.

“That will form a line of investigation to ensure that we are putting all appropriate measures in place to mitigate any threat, should it become apparent.

“I’m not saying there is or there isn’t at this stage.”

He added: “Of course that will be a line of inquiry.”

Speaking about Miss Widdecombe’s death, Mr Taylor said: “It is clear that this was a targeted attack.

“We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack.”

He added: “In terms of the preparation and planning, we are aware that there has been some preparation and planning. I don’t want to go into the details of the extent of that at this stage.”

A suspect was arrested on Saturday evening in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, nearly 300 miles from the Devon home where the ex-Tory minister, 78, was found dead on Thursday.

He “was not known” to the Prevent programme, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Monday.

Counter Terrorism Police believe the victim’s appearance on TalkTV at 8am the day of the murder is another key line of inquiry.

Mr Taylor added: “We’re exploring all lines of inquiry, and that is one of the lines of inquiry that we’ll be exploring.”

Renowned broadcaster and TV chef Dame Prue Leith admitted she is now worrying about her son, Reform UK MP Danny Kruger’s safety.

She said: “I haven’t even rung him up about it because I don’t want him having to add to the worry the fact that his mother is worrying.

“Honestly, I think the government will do everything it can to protect MPs and there are dangers in every walk of life and this is one that MPs have to have in the back of their minds.

“But I think it is scary. It seems so amazing that this should be happening in the UK, which I’ve always thought of as the most civilized country about politics. It’s always been a proper country.

“You don’t reach for the gun when you don’t agree with somebody, you debate it and you vote on it.”

Mr Farage has accepted a meeting with the Home Office to discuss the security offered to him in the wake of the attack.

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez on Tuesday hit back at criticism after her officers spent days insisting the Tory former minister’s death had no link to terrorism.

Ms Hernandez said: “There’s been some commentary about the way Devon and Cornwall police have communicated during the early stages of this case.

“But, as the Home Secretary (Shabana Mahmood) said yesterday, it is not unusual that in a fast-paced investigation, more information comes to light that changes the nature or the character of what the police are dealing with.”

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Miss Widdecombe as an “extraordinary politician”, adding the circumstances of her death “appalling and unforgivable”.

Mr Johnson said: “I’m very very sorry and shocked about the murder or what seems to be the murder of Ann who was a dear colleague, I knew her for many, many years.

“She was a totally redoubtable person, an extraordinary politician and a very, very hard act to follow by the way, she left audiences absolutely wrung out with emotion after she did her stuff.”

Asked about the security of UK politicians, Mr Johnson said: “Look I heard what the Home Secretary had to say and that seemed sensible to me.”

Mr Johnson said: “What happened to her, what seems to have happened to her was utterly appalling and unforgivable.

“I think the politics of what kind of an attack it was, I just think you’ve got to let the police get on with it and do their jobs now.”