'New twist in killer hunt' and 'One of a kind Ann'

27 minutes ago

News image — The majority of the papers are dominated by the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe, which is now being led by counter terrorism police. The Metro calls the shift a "new twist" in the hunt for the person who killed the former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman.

The headline on the front page of the Metro reads: “Ann murder now treated as terrorism”. — The majority of the papers are dominated by the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe, which is now being led by counter terrorism police. The Metro calls the shift a "new twist" in the hunt for the person who killed the former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Express reads: “Terror cops now leading Ann death probe”. — "Terror cops now leading Ann death probe" declares the Daily Express, reporting that the "dramatic development" on Monday occurred after new information and evidence came to light. The front page is one of several that feature a photo of footballer Jude Bellingham, ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina.

The headline on the front page of the Guardian reads: “Widdecombe death inquiry being treated as terror case”. — According to the Guardian, the decision to treat the Widdecombe inquiry as a terror case meant that the man currently in custody on suspicion of her murder had to be re-arrested - this time, on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. The paper also carries a photograph of actor Sam Neill, famed for his starring role in Jurassic Park, following his unexpected death on Monday at the age of 78.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Mail reads: “Widdecombe murder was political, terror police believe”. — The Daily Mail says treating the murder of Widdecombe as a politically motivated terrorist attack was a "dramatic escalation", and marked a significant U-turn from the statements put out by Devon and Cornwall Police. The paper says the change came after police discovered "items of political ideology" in their key suspect's home.

The headline on the front page of the Independent reads: “Terror police take over Widdecombe murder inquiry”. — "Terror police take over Widdecombe murder inquiry" reads the headline on the Independent, which notes it comes only 24 hours after police told the public that there was "no sign" of a political motive.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Telegraph reads: “Police under fire over Widdecombe terror probe”. — The Daily Telegraph suggests that Devon and Cornwall Police are now "under fire" for their repeated insistence that Widdecombe's murder was not politically motivated. It includes remarks from Jonathan Hall KC, the government's independent reviewer of terrorism, who said the rhetoric from the force had "broken one of the golden rules of investigations".

The headline on the front page of the Times reads: “Widdecombe murder case taken over by terror police”. — In their story on Widdecombe's death, the Times has broken down all the key developments in the case to date. The paper's list includes confirmation from Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, that the suspect was not known to the Prevent anti-extremism programme, and the revelation that Widdecombe's home had been shown on television "in extensive detail" just days before she was found dead.

The headline on the front page of the i Paper reads: “Farage declined taxpayer-funded security - calling offer 'inadequate'”. — The i Paper considers the impact of the case on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's own security arrangements, reporting he has turned down a state security offer of a bodyguard, car and trained driver, as he believed it to be "downgraded and inadequate". The paper says that the state's offer would give Farage a similar level of security as that provided for Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Mirror reads: “Terror probe”. — The front page of the Mirror is dominated by a pixellated CCTV image of what the paper says is the key suspect in Widdecombe's murder being arrested. "Terror probe" reads the paper's headline.

The headline on the front page of the Sun reads: “Ann cops' terror probe”. — "Ann cops' terror probe" reads the headline of the Sun.

The headline on the front page of the Financial Times reads: “Dubai's DP World planning new east coast port to bypass Hormuz strait”. — One of the few papers not focusing on the Widdecombe inquiry, the Financial Times instead reports on the aftermath of Iran's formal closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The paper says that a Dubai-based port operator is now planning to build a new terminal on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates, cutting Dubai's dependence on its flagship Jebel Ali hub and allowing ships to bypass the strait entirely.

The headline on the front page of the Daily Star reads: “There's only one No 10”. — "There's only one No 10" declares the Star, calling on England to "back Jude and the lads" in the semi-final on Wednesday. Bellingham wears the No 10 shirt for the England national team.

Most of the front pages lead on counter terrorism police taking over the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe. The Times says the "about-turn" was the result of material found at the suspect's house - after officers had previously said there was nothing to suggest the crime was politically motivated or linked to terrorism. According to the Daily Mail, that material included "Russian communist literature".

The front page of the Daily Mirror features a pixellated CCTV image of what the paper says is the key suspect in the case being arrested. He was originally detained on suspicion of murder, but has since been re-arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences. The Daily Telegraph suggests that Devon and Cornwall police are "under fire" for "seemingly talking down" the possibility that Ann Widdecombe may have been deliberately targeted. The force said it was pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.

The Guardian carries a warning from scientists and environmentalists that the UK is in a grip of a "firewave" - as extreme heat provides ideal conditions for wildfires. A particular concern is that more fires seem to be taking place in urban areas, rather than in remote countryside. Wildfires have burned in places including North Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and London in the last few days.

Most of the papers pay their respects to the actor Sam Neill, who has died at the age of 78. He gained international recognition for roles in films such as Jurassic Park and the Hunt for Red October. The Daily Mail calls him a "gentleman". The Daily Express describes him as a "true star". The Daily Telegraph says he was a "favourite of casting directors and cinephiles alike" - and added quality to any film he starred in, whether it was a blockbuster or an indie production.

And several of the front pages feature photographs of Jude Bellingham relaxing in the pool ahead of England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday night. "Playing it cool" is the Daily Mirror's headline. For its part, the Times notes that plans are being made for Sir Keir Starmer to travel to the US to watch England if they make it into Sunday's final - in what would be his final trip as prime minister.

'New twist in killer hunt' and 'One of a kind Ann'

Daily Express

Daily Mail

Daily Mirror

Daily Star

Daily Telegraph

Financial Times

Guardian

Independent

Metro

Sun

The i

Times