The Ann Widdecombe Murder Investigation
7/11/202635 min
What do we know about the Ann Widdecombe murder investigation? LONG Today, Laura and Paddy look at what we know and don’t know about the murder of Ann Widdecombe. A murder investigation was launched after the Reform politician was found on Thursday. We also hear tributes and reaction to her death. And, Laura’s been talking to Rachel Reeves in what could be her last interview as chancellor. We discuss whether it was a pitch to keep her job, or a warning to Andy Burnham. You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480. New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn. The social producer was Jesse Fox. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsLaura Kuenssberg· Host0:00
So Paddy, we will talk today about what we know in a sad and shocking story, which is the death of Anne Widdecombe, a prominent politician for decades, and then somebody who came into everybody's lives. And this story began as terribly sad news about a woman in her late 70s who had passed away and had been found at home dead. But then it developed into something much more sinister with the police saying there would be a murder inquiry.
Paddy O'Connell· Host0:27
Yes. So it was delivered in two sections in the news yesterday. The morning news, she died. Tributes on the radio and on the television said this unique character, she'd gone from politics to the living room via- Mm ... Strictly and via some, uh, heartfelt beliefs.
Laura Kuenssberg· Host0:43
Mm.
Paddy O'Connell· Host0:43
She was one of the people who brightened the nation, said the tributes. And then the police said, "We're going to have a news conference." Then the police said they're, was doing a murder investigation. Then the news conference came, which they said there'd been an arrest. Then this morning, the suspect had been released. So we're back to where we were, um, a suspect unidentified at large in the suspected murder of Anne Widdecombe, and we'll talk about that, and also your scoop.
Laura Kuenssberg· Host1:10
So we went to Number 11 Downing Street yesterday to sit down with Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, in what will probably, in all likelihood, be her last big interview in that job. And she's been someone, not just who's been on the front line of politics in the last two years as Keir Starmer's government has sort of ebbed