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Locals who share Ann Widdecombe’s views are “frightened to death” after counter-terrorist police took over the investigation into the veteran politician’s murder in her own home. Some people are relishing it, residents added, after an ex-Labour candidate said on social media that she hoped Ms Widdecombe suffered a “painful death”. People living near the remote village of Haytor Vale in Devon also believe the Reform UK spokesperson, who was found covered in blood on Thursday, would have confronted her killer. Jackie Floyd, 58, a carer from Ashburton, said: “Where is the outrage?

“If this was someone from Labour, the whole country would be up in outrage. They’re actually enjoying it. After what’s happened to Ann, everyone in England, we’re frightened to death.” She added: “We can’t speak the truth anymore. We’re all going to get killed like Ann. I don’t feel safe, and I’ve never felt that way. I feel unsafe in my own country.”

Steve Facey, 65, who lives in Torbay, said it is “no surprise at all” that anti-terror cops have taken over, as he believes her death will prove to have been politically motivated.

The retired sales engineer added: “I don’t think we’ll ever get the full truth.

“It’s one of the worst things that’s happened in the country in recent years.”

Police said on Sunday that there was “nothing to suggest [the murder] was politically motivated”.

However, on Monday, it was announced that counter-terrorism police had taken on leadership of the probe after “new information and evidence” came to light.

Wayne Maloney, 62, a painter and decorator, from Liverton, around a 10-minute drive from Haytor Vale, said he saw Ms Widdecombe, who he called “lovely” and “a character” driving only last week.

He added: “There’s a link somewhere.

“I think [the killer’s] got a connection down here, that’s my own view.”

If her killer had at first pretended to show kindness, “she probably would have taken him in for a cup of tea or something”, Mr Maloney suggested.

His brother-in-law, Mike Tucker, 65, a sales account manager from Bovey Tracey, saw Ms Widdecombe two weeks ago at a local garage.

He said: “It is quite a worry… it’s quite close; you don’t have a murder on your doorstep.”

He added: “It’s a bit odd. Why?

“[If the suspect, who is from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, is guilty] would you come all the way down here just to kill an old lady?”

The local then suggested that she “certainly would have confronted the guy”.

Mr Tucker added: “She used to deal with the IRA.

“She’s been there, done it.

“I don’t think she was scared of anything.”

Reports suggest locals raised the alarm after spotting a “suspicious” dark VW Golf parked near Ms Widdecombe’s home hours before she was murdered.

Mr Tucker lauded staff at a local garage, who noticed it at around 9am on Wednesday.

That “got the ball rolling for the police,” he suggested.

Pam Derham, 72, a retired headteacher, is from Bristol and has a holiday home in the village of Avonwick near Plymouth.

Visiting to pay her respects, she said: “It’s horrific.

“It’s really upset me; I don’t quite know why.

“I haven’t met her. I’ve seen her over the years doing what she did.

“I just couldn’t believe it.

“It’s such a shock that something like that could happen to a lady who was 78, diminutive in size.

“In a beautiful spot like this, you don’t expect it.

“The house is called Widdecombe’s Rest – she should have been safe there, that’s the thing.”

Husband Rob Derham, 72, who worked in finance, called the incident “disgusting”.

Olly Erkmen, 31, a lab scientist from Oakhampton, a town north of the tiny village, said Ms Widdecombe was “demonised”.

He added the incident “seems very odd” and “targeted”.

Sonya Styles, 50, a homemaker from Kingsteignton, just north of Newton Abbot, said Ms Widdecombe’s death is “heartbreaking”.

She added that there should have been more security measures in place at Widdecombe’s Rest.

It has been reported that Ms Widdecombe was advised by a friend to have a proper security gate installed, but she refused outright.