Police update after 28-year-old ARRESTED in Yorkshire and Ann Widdecombe's final texts revealed

Good morning, everyone.I'm Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman.I've been leading this operation.Thank you for joining us this morning.I'd like to give you an update on where we find ourselves today.Our investigation is the death of 78 -year -old Anne Whittacombe has continued to develop over the past 24 hours.

Shortly after 9pm on Saturday 11th July, a 28 -year -old white British man was arrested at an address in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on suspicion of the murder of Miss Whittacombe.We were supported by officers from Counter -Terrorism Police North East, and South Yorkshire Police who carried out the arrest on behalf of Devon and Cornwall.Ms Whittacombe's family have been informed of the updates and continue to be supported by our specialist officers.Our thoughts remain with her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.At this point there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident and at this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this murder.We retain primacy of this investigation and detectives remain open -minded about the potential motive.

At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it was politically motivated.A cordon is still in place as officers continue inquiries at the scene and we anticipate that this will be the case for the next few days.The local community can also expect to see a heightened police presence in the coming weeks to provide reassurance to them.However, I wish to reassure you that we do not have any information to suggest that there is any wider threat to the public at this time.We're grateful to our colleagues in South Yorkshire for the assistance that they provided and they'll continue to support us through our investigation.Over the past few days we've received in excess of 120 reports of information to assist us in our investigation into our major incident public portal.

I'd just like to thankthose who've taken the time to contribute that information and ask anyone who has not yet submitted any information that they hold to do so as a priority.We're aware of online and public speculation particularly with regards to motive.Again I urge people not to share or engage with that speculation.It's unhelpful, it doesn't aid our investigation and particularly it's distressing to the family and friends of Miss Whittakam.We understand that there is a huge appetite for information but progressing and protecting the integrity of our investigation is paramount now.

We recognise there is still some way to go in this case and the release of any information will be a decision made on an operational basis.I would like to thank the local communities, the wider public and the media for their ongoing support and patience.I would ask them to continue to support us in the next stage of this investigation.Any relevant information, images or footage can be reported via our major incident public portal, and you can follow the links and QR codes available on our website to achieve this.Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers.Thank you very much.

I'd like to hand over now to the Chief Constable to say a few words.

Thank you, Matt, and good morning, everybody.Thank you, first of all, to Matt, the Senior Investigating Officer, and the wider teams here in Devon and Cornwall that have mounted an extraordinary response.to a horrific murder of a very prominent public figure.The support that Devon Cornwall Police has received from our colleagues and our partners, both in the region and nationally.has been second to none.The operation has been running at a lightning pace for 48 hours and I am really pleased that we have a suspect firmly in custody and that will undergo some further work from us today.

Well done to all.This is clearly British policing at its very best.Thank you to media colleagues for your patience and working with us over the last two days, allowing us to focus on the most important thing here, which is to catch a dangerous man and bring him to justice.My appreciation to you for that.Thank you.And finally, my thanks also goes to the public in giving us the information that we need to progress this investigation.

and I reiterate the ongoing message and direction around speculation and how unhelpful and how that can hinder a major investigation of this nature.Thank you everybody and thank you to the teams.

Well, a colleague used to take Anne about, but he retired from taxiing, so I took over all the business with Anne.So I took her everywhere, really.

So you were Anne Wickham's driver?

Yeah, yeah.

And how long had you done that for?

About 10 years.Oh, she was a great lady, very kind.You know, she was absolutely a privilege to take in the car.And she was funny at times.I like her because if you asked her a question, you'd get a direct answer.There was no mocking about.

No, she was brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

Well, when I saw it yesterday, I thought she'd had a heart attack or a stroke or something.Of course, then later it turned out it was a suspected murder.I'm just shocked, absolutely shocked.And I spoke to Harriet, her PA up in Kent, and, you know, Harriet didn't know at that time what had happened, you know, so it was, yeah, very sad, very sad.Probably about three weeks ago, She had another driver that would take her locally to the train station.But I'd done all the long distance stuff.

She was always doing talks for somebody.Yeah, she was a wonderful woman, you know, absolutely.And it's so sad, isn't it?Takes some replacing that sort of, you know, she was great, had a job, you know.You got what you saw on the tin.If you didn't like the answer, you shouldn't have asked the question.

So, yeah.So I will certainly miss her.While she was in the theatre talking, I forget, I think we were up in Whitby.She'd done her first half just talking about herself and then it was a question and answer time afterwards and they would ask her a question and one gentleman put his hand up.She said, Anne, did you ever like anybody in the opposition party, i .e.

the Labour?She said, yes, I did actually.And he said, can I be rude and ask you what it was?She said, yes, it was David Blunkett's dog.So she was very comical, very comical, down to earth.Just a great woman.

When was the last time you worked for her, when you'd driven her last?

I think I took her to Yeovil for a, I think it was a WI meeting or something.But she always looked after me, made sure I had something to eat.coffee.She was really, really thoughtful.

She'd never expressed any concern, had she, about her safety?

I mean, obviously politicians say...No, not really.She seemed quite happy living up here by herself.You never expect it, do you?Oh, I didn't, certainly, you know.Very sad.

I said, I can't believe it.You know, somebody, you know, I knew they arrested one guy, but they let him go now.But no, it's just a shock.Oh, she loved it.She liked being by herself, loved walking up on the moors.And as you know, she got a swimming pool at the back.

If she come back late or late -ish, she'd always have a brandy and go for a swim.Very, very good, you know.

And she felt safe here?

I presume, you know, she never mentioned any fear or anything like that.

Does she have CCTV cameras?

I believe so.I can't say.When we went into the driveway, all the lights used to come on, so I presume she had cameras, I would have thought.I can't say for certain.um and she had the gardener of course i think he was the gentleman that found her i think um and then shehad like a lady that come and done her cleaning.

No, she was just a superwoman, you know, we sadly missed.Just remember, I thought she was a great politician.She was very strong in her views.I don't think you'd be able to replace that sort of person, not really.Could be a little bit outspoken at times, but that was Anne, you know.