A 28‑year‑old man was arrested outside a home in Rotherham and has been in police custody for over 36 hours.
The suspect’s 73‑year‑old uncle, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, said he was stunned to learn of his relative’s involvement, describing the situation as shocking and numb.
He added that his nephew had been a fan of the former MP, admiring her forthrightness and principled stance.
Neighbors reported that the suspect rarely left his house but was friendly when they encountered him, often taking parcels for them.
Investigators are treating the former MP’s death as a targeted attack and are probing possible political motives, including left‑wing extremism and other ideological factors.
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor stated that the incident is clearly a targeted attack, and that police are working to understand the extent of any planning and the motive behind it.
A key line of inquiry is whether the suspect was aiming to target other figures from the same political party.
Initial police statements suggested no clear link to political motives or terrorism, but the investigation is now reassessing that assessment.
