Counter-terror police reopen attempted burglary probe as part of Widdecombe inquiry
Counter-terrorism police have reopened an investigation into an attempted burglary from last year as part of the inquiry into the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe. The police watchdog is also investigating a potential failure by staff to pursue a specific line of inquiry during the initial investigation.
Why it matters
This highlights potential procedural failures within high-stakes counter-terrorism investigations and raises questions about the oversight of police conduct in sensitive cases.
Published 7 August 2026, 21:33 BST Updated Just now Counter-terrorism police investigating the death of ex-MP Ann Widdecombe have reopened an inquiry into a report of an attempted burglary at a London address in April last year.
No arrests were made at the time and the investigation was closed.
On Friday Counter Terrorism Policing said a line of inquiry had been identified that was not "pursued by them at the time".
It has made a mandatory referral over its handling of the initial investigation to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
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