Police: speculation during Widdecombe murder investigation is ‘unhelpful and distressing’

Politicians should not comment before facts are established, says former chief constable, after Farage describes killing as ‘premeditated murder’

Senior police figures and politicians have warned against speculation during the murder investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death, after detectives said there was “nothing to suggest” political motivation after an intervention from Nigel Farage.

Devon and Cornwall police said on Sunday the killing investigation was not being treated as terrorism nor as politically motivated.

Officers said they remained open-minded about the motive and urged the public not to speculate, warning it was both unhelpful to the investigation and distressing for Widdecombe’s family.