Iain Duncan Smith, Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, describes Widdecombe's death as a tragedy and says she was a "force of nature".

She embodied something else, he says: "The passion that is necessary in this chamber for us to make our arguments without fear of any other person doing something to us."

He says Mahmood needs to press social media companies into tackling the "violent, visceral" language that is being used on social media, which he says is the "root of violence and death".

He adds that "we will not accept being shut down, being stopped from our duties, or being silenced in any way, because that is what Ann would have approved of".

Reform UK MP Richard Tice describes Widdecombe as "a colossus" in public and political life.

He says she "had an incredible work ethic" and viewed life as "not a dress rehearsal" but instead as one where "you grasp every opportunity".

Tice says, after checking earlier, "in 23 years, she made over 8,000 contributions" in the House of Commons, going on to say she was "a most deserving" semi-finalist in Strictly Come Dancing.

"Her conviction, her passion and her advocacy for free speech was to be commended," Tice says.

He adds whenever Widdecombe called him, he "always stood up on my toes".

House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle briefly interjects to say every member of Parliament is equally important to him.

He says when things are brought to his attention, because they don't discuss security or put out in public what has been done, he reassures everybody "that when something is mentioned to me it is passed onto the security people to deal with".

"I'm sorry that people don't think I do that," he adds.

Next to speak is independent MP Diane Abbott. She says that at one point she got "as many threats and abuse and threats of violence as all the other women MPs put together".

She says its "important that we take this issue seriously", and that online activity has made this "much, much worse".

Online platforms need to be held more accountable, she says.

Mahmood says that it's a "testament to her personal bravery" that Abbott has continued to serve as an MP in the face of these threats, and says she wants to assure her that the government is working to make sure "security arrangements are able to keep pace" with the "changing nature of threats" faced by MPs.

Mahmood responds to Philp by saying that counter terrorism police have published a statement that confirms they have taken over the investigation into Widdecombe's death.

She repeats that they are leading the investigation and pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motive behind the attack.

Mahmood also says there has been questions raised about the security of politicians in the UK, including those who are not represented in Parliament.

"There has been a step change in the security of parliamentarians over the last few years but I think it is a reflection of the multi-layered threats that our democracy faces," she says.

She says the safety of MPs is something that needs to be continuously reviewed and says it will be her "personal business" to make sure that happens.

The shadow home secretary says any threats against MPs "should be taken extremely seriously".

Philp says we must "redouble our efforts" to make sure "public political figures" always receive the "proportionate protection they need".

He asks Mahmood to confirm she will review all arrangements with this objective in mind.

He continues, saying "in this country we should be able to debate each other" but also speak to each other in a way that is "civil and respectful".

The ability to have "debate and disagreement" is what makes "our country great", he says.

Philp now echoes comments from the police urging people not to speculate on the investigation while it remains ongoing.

He asks if there is any further information the home secretary can share without prejudicing the case, to avoid further speculation.

He thanks the police for all the information that has been released so far and says it is always important to release as much information as possible "in the interests of transparency and to avoid misinformation filling the void".

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp speaks next. Widdecombe will "be terribly missed", he begins.

He says she "always fearlessly spoke her mind" and "did not worry about whether her opinion would be popular".

"Her integrity and her fortitude were unmatched," he says. Widdecombe was also a "much-loved celebrity", Philp adds.

"We will all remember Ann fondly", he says, as a public figure who was "always formidable, always charming, always entertaining".

Image source, UK Parliament/PA

Mahmood tells the Commons she recently commissioned the former Lord Chancellor Sir Robert Buckland to review the lessons learned from the murder of MP David Amess in 2021.

She says the review will include looking into the required improvements for security of MPs while working in their constituencies.

Mahmood acknowledges there will be "particular concern" for Reform UK and leader Nigel Farage, and says she has offered him a meeting with the public body responsible for managing the security of those in public life.

She will also look into what security guidance can be offered to former MPs.

She says "today is a dark day in our political life" but says it is also an opportunity to celebrate Widdecombe's life.

"May she now rest in eternal peace," Mahmood says before commending the statement to the house.

The home secretary continues and says "for now, what matters most" is supporting the investigation.

Mahmood says what has happened "raises questions about the security of those in public life".

Mentioning MPs Jo Cox and David Amess, who were both murdered while MPs, she says "politics is a calling for those of us here", but that it "should not be a dangerous one".

She adds the police intend to issue guidance to MPs on safety "soon".

Mahmood says the circumstances of Widdecombe's death were "extremely distressing".

She says counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation and are investigating multiple lines of inquiry to establish the "motivation for this attack".

She tells MPs the 28-year-old suspect arrested by police was not known to Prevent - the government's anti-extremism scheme.

Shabana Mahmood starts by paying tribute to Ann Widdecombe as "forthright and fearless".

Widdecombe "thought seriously about ideas but she did not take herself too seriously", says Mahmood.

She quotes Widdecombe's appearance on The Graham Norton Show: "We get one go this side of eternity, one go, life is not a dress rehearsal."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is now on her feet to make a statement about the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe.

We'll be bringing you all the key lines right here, and you can also watch live at the top of the page.

Dozens of bouquets, along with handwritten notes, are piled high outside Ann Widdecombe's home in Haytor, Devon.

The former MP had lived in the tiny village, which sits on the outskirts of Dartmoor, for 18 years. These are some of the latest pictures coming in to us of the growing pile of tributes.

Image source, Reuters

Widdecombe was born in Bath, Somerset, in 1947 and went on to study Latin at Birmingham University, then philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University.

Ann Widdecombe's political career spanned several decades, having served as a Tory MP for Maidstone in Kent from 1987 to 2010.

She worked as a Home Office and employment minister in Sir John Major's government between 1994 to 1997.

After leaving Parliament she appeared on various prime-time television shows,appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

A staunch supporter of the UK's departure from the EU, she became an MEP for the Brexit Party, representing South West England in the European Parliament between 2019-2020.

In 2023, she joined Nigel Farage's Reform UK, after the party changed its name from the Brexit Party, where she served as immigration and justice spokesperson.

Image source, PA Media

Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday at around 11:40 BST, having sustained serious injuries.

Police believe she was attacked the day before, on 8 July, at around 12:30 BST.

Her death was announced by her agent Cloud 9 Management on Friday morning - with no suggestion that her death was suspicious.

Later on Friday, police announced that they had launched a murder investigation into her death and that a 26-year-old man had been arrested in nearby Newton Abbot.

That man was released on Saturday - police said he was "no longer part of the investigation".

Later that day, police said a 28-year-old man had been arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of the murder of Widdecombe.

Earlier today, it was announced that counter-terror police had taken over the investigation and that the 28-year-old man had been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe after "new information and evidence", officers said earlier today.

"We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack," head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said.

A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was originally arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday but has now been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

In a post on X this afternoon, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that she had spoken to Taylor, confirming that counter terrorism police are "leading on the investigation into the horrific murder of Ann Widdecombe".

She said that she will update MPs in the House of Commons later this afternoon.

On Sunday, Devon and Cornwall Police had said there was "nothing to suggest" the alleged murder was politically motivated.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman had said officers remained "open-minded" about a potential motive and that there was not thought to be any threat to the wider public.

Freya Scott-Turner
Live reporter

Image source, PA Media

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to update the House of Commons this afternoon on the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe.

It comes as counter terrorism police have taken charge of the investigation into the former MP’s death in response to “new information and evidence”.

Widdecombe - a Conservative MP for decades and a member of Reform UK in recent years – was found dead at her Devon home on Thursday. The 78-year-old had sustained serious injuries, police said.

Police are currently holding a 28-year-old white British man in custody. Originally arrested on Saturday on suspicion of murder, he’s since been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

We're expecting Mahmood to begin her statement around 16:45 BST - we’ll bring you all the key updates right here.