GB News delivered a breaking news update as former Scotland Yard detective, Peter Bleksley, appeared on the programme.
Former Scotland Yard detective, Peter Bleksley, weighed in on the police investigation (Image: Getty)
GB News came to a halt on Sunday, following a fresh update on the Ann Widdecombe murder investigation. Appearing on the programme, a former Scotland Yard detective, Peter Bleksley, weighed in on the case.
Reflecting on the news that a 28-year-old British man had been arrested at an address in South Yorkshire, Bleksley explained what the police’s next steps might be.
“I think if we are to hear from them [police], it will be later today because, as with any arrested person, the police have the right to hold this man who was detained last night, for 24 hours in the very first instance. If they want an extension – up to 36 hours – the Superintendent can authorise that. So, if they want to go beyond that, then they’ll have to get in front of a magistrate for a further period of detention, should that be the case.
“Devon and Cornwall police here, I think, actually – and I hope that I’m not proved wrong – but I think their release of information has been measured. And, I think the reason we’ve not been told a huge amount is because they’ve been very busy actually getting on with the investigation.
“It would appear to me that we haven’t seen CCTV images of suspects, we haven’t been given descriptions or names or vehicle details because the police didn’t deem it necessary.”
A 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection to the murder of Ann Widdecombe (Image: Getty)
Warning the public not to speculate online, Bleksley said that not only could it prove “hurtful” to Ann’s family, but the police wouldn’t want to be “distracted” by theories swirling on social media.
A former Tory politician and Reform campaigner, Ann’s death was confirmed on Friday by representatives. The 78-year-old was found with “serious injuries” at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday, with police suspecting that the MP had been attacked on Wednesday.
In an update delivered on Saturday, police said: “We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area this evening (July 11) on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody.”