A presenter on Loose Women issued a breaking news update moments in the show. The ITV daytime programme returned on Monday, July 13, after a scheduled break, with the show now running on a seasonal basis after a series of cuts earlier this year. However, minutes into the program, host Christine Lampard issued an update on the investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s alleged murder.
The former Conservative politician and Reform UK spokesperson’s death was announced on Friday, July 10. The police later launched an investigation and claimed there was “nothing to suggest it was politically motivated”.
Officers also arrested a 28-year-old white British man in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Counter Terrorism Policing South East has now confirmed that “new information and evidence have come to light”, reports the Mirror.
After an advertisement break on Loose Women, Christine, joined in the studio by Gloria Hunniford, Brenda Edwards, and Coleen Nolan, delivered a breaking news announcement to viewers.
She said: “Welcome back, just before the break, we were talking about Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead on Thursday.
“In the last few minutes, police have revealed the counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation into her death.
“The police have just said new information and evidence has come to light. So a very much developing story.”
Before moving on to the next segment, she added: “We’ll bring you anything more as it does come through.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also released a statement, saying: “The police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack. I will be updating the House further this afternoon.”
Tributes have been paid to Ann, who also starred on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
Announcing her death on Friday, her agents said her life and career were “driven by her strong Christian values and commitment to public service”.
They added that Ann loved the “cut and thrust of political debate” and was “still actively campaigning for Reform UK” after leaving Parliament 16 years ago.
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX
