'Far-left-wing hatred and intolerance' is festering on both sides of the Atlantic, Nile Gardiner told GB News

The wave of threats against right-wingers was laid bare on GB News last night after a series of major updates in the police probe into Ann Widdecombe's killing.

Counter-terror officers took over the investigation yesterday afternoon after a 28-year-old man was arrested in Rotherham.

Despite initially ruling out any kind of political or terror-related motive, police said "new information and evidence" came to light which left the probe in Counter Terrorism Policing's hands.

Officers changed their stance after "material" was found in the suspect's property, according to The Times.

Nile Gardiner, a former aide to Margaret Thatcher, warned GB News that the "overwhelming majority" of threats seen today are directed against the right.

"The reality is there are those out there who are filled with with hate and venom. A lot of them hide behind anonymous accounts on social media.

"The overwhelming majority of the threats that we see today are against politicians on the right, against conservative politicians.

"The US President has faced a series of assassination attempts, and the killing of Charlie Kirk is a huge symbol of this sort of far-left-wing hatred and intolerance.

In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, Free Speech Union director Lord Young told GB News how an "accelerating derangement of the woke left" was behind a surge in political violence against conservatives.

Mr Kirk was shot dead at Utah Valley University last September, with his alleged assassin Tyler Robinson currently on trial.

Robinson killed the activist due to his views on transgender issues, a court was told last week.

Donald Trump had to be rushed out of a Washington DC dinner in April after a gunman attempted to storm the venue - and was shot in the ear on the campaign trail in 2024.

Mr Gardiner last night said the "hatred and venom" on the rise was "an absolute cancer in society".

His words followed a broader discussion over Ms Widdecombe's killing - a few hours after her 28-year-old suspected murderer was rearrested on suspicion of "commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".

Police said they arrested him again after examining his electronic devices after he was taken into custody.

Ms Widdecombe's Reform UK colleagues poured scorn on the police yesterday, with deputy leader Richard Tice saying they had acted "too quickly" in ruling out the former minister's profile as a motive.

Mr Tice said it would be "wise when considering motivation to keep things open-ended in terms of motivation rather than ruling things out too quickly that may end up being ruled back in".

Home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf then said calls for Britons not to "speculate" over the suspect's intention was code for "shut up and accept the establishment narrative".

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told MPs on Monday the suspect was not known to the Prevent extremism watchdog.

Speaking in the Commons, she also offered a meeting to Nigel Farage over fears for his security, which he accepted.

But Robert Jenrick swiftly pointed out how the Home Office cut Mr Farage's protection last year.

The Newark MP told GB News: "The decision... to massively reduce the security provided to Nigel Farage as the leader of Reform, as one of, if not the most endangered MP in Britain today, was clearly wrong.

"In fact, it placed him and his family in unacceptable danger. I don't believe that would have been done to any other politician.

"It was because of his political views, because politicians in the home and civil servants in the Home Office do not like Reform. We know that, and they didn't provide him with the security that he needed."

On Sunday, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said the force was not looking for any other suspects in its probe.

Police are, however, still asking anyone with information to come forward.

Information, images or footage can be reported via the Major Incident Public Portal or to Devon and Cornwall Police on 101, or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online.