Nigel Farage is facing calls for restraint after sharing his thoughts about the suspected murder of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe amid a police investigation.
Miss Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and ex-Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday morning having sustained serious injuries.
A 28-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of murder in Rotherham, 260 miles away, on Saturday evening. A 26-year-old man detained on Friday was released and in no longer part of the investigation, police said.
Mr Farage is facing criticism for remarks he made to the press in Devon after paying tribute to Miss Widdecombe on Saturday.
The Reform UK leader said he is "100% certain" the death wasn't a burglary gone wrong.
He told reporters he believed the attack on her was “premeditated murder” and said a car had appeared on her drive at around 12.25pm on Wednesday.
“From what I can see of it, from what I can make out, this was premeditated murder,” he said.
“Whether it's politically motivated, whether it was somebody with a grudge, I don't think it pays at this moment in time to speculate.”
Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said “speculating doesn't help” the investigation.
He told Times Radio: “Don't try and give some news interview in which you're able to tell everybody this is what you think.
“When you know this is not an Agatha Christie novel. This is real life, and this is a real murder. And let's just leave the police to get on with it.
“And then, when they're ready and they release the information, then we all know what happened.”
Former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor was among also those who criticised Mr Farage, telling The Times: “The police have expressly asked the public not to speculate about the motive.
“It is therefore deeply disappointing that Nigel Farage has chosen to do precisely that.”
The Guardian quoted an anonymous Labour minister who said: “We all want the police to have the space to do their job. MPs gobbing off rarely helps the police during an investigation.”
David Gauke, the former Conservative justice secretary, said people in public life “should know better than to speculate publicly”.
On Sunday, there was a substantial police presence at a house in Byrley Road in the Kimberworth Park area of Rotherham – an address linked to the suspect.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said on Sunday that the force is not looking for any other suspects.
He also urged against politicians and the public guessing what may have happened to Ms Widdecombe.
“We are aware of online and public speculation, particularly with regards to motive,” he said.
“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 Widdecombe.”
Responding to Mr Proctor’s criticisms, Mr Farage told The Times: “Harvey was very close to Ann, I know he is upset, but I was really careful not to be political.
“I was very clear in what I said. I said I would not speculate as to whether it was someone with a grudge, someone with mental health problems or someone with political problems.
“I also said very clearly that I didn’t believe for one moment that it was a burglary that went wrong and I am 100% certain I am right on that.”
