Man, 26, arrested on suspicion of murder of Ann Widdecombe
The ex-Tory prisons minister, who was 78, was found dead at her home in Devon on Thursday (9 July)
Last updated 25 minutes ago
A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe at her home in Devon.
The ex-Tory prisons minister, who was 78, began her career as an MP in Maidstone in Kent in 1987.
She later became a Brexit Party MEP and subsequently a Reform UK spokeswoman and also found fame outside politics after starring in Strictly Come Dancing.
Devon and Cornwall police say officers were called to an address at Haytor near Newton Abbot at around 11:40am yesterday (9 July).
The force added that Miss Widdecombe was found dead inside, having sustained serious injuries.
A 26-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of murder at an address in Newton Abbot today (10 July) police said.
The suspect, who is a white British national, remains in police custody.
Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told a press conference that Ann Widdecombe’s death was not being treated as a terrorist incident:
“Detectives from the force major crime investigation team have launched a murder investigation, and are conducting extensive inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Ms Widdecombe’s death.
“While we work closely with our partners and consulted counter-terrorism policing as part of our initial inquiries, the incident is not being treated as terrorism.
“A cordon remains in place at the property, while specialist officers continue forensic examinations. There are road closures in place around the scene, and the public will see significant police activity in the area while detectives and other officers continue house-to-house and CCTV inquiries.
“This is an extremely tragic incident. Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Miss Widdicombe in this very difficult time.”
Police are remaining “open-minded” about the motive for the attack and it was too early to comment on whether the suspect was known to Miss Widdecombe.
A cordon remains in place at the property with specialist officers carrying out forensic examinations.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman added that the inquiry into Ann Widdecombe’s death is “in its early stages” but “moving at significant pace”.
He said: “We are deploying all the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened.
“I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.”
He added: “I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media.
“That’s not only potentially harmful to our investigation, but also deeply distressing to the family and friends of Ms Widdecombe.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged people to come together across political divides following the murder.
Speaking to reporters in his Chequers country retreat, he said he had spoken to his likely successor Andy Burnham, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK’s Nigel Farage to “urge everybody to come together at a moment like this”.
He said: “This is really shocking news, and my thoughts, I think all of our thoughts, will be with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this awful time for them.
“Ann was a distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements, and it’s a huge, huge loss.”
Conservative leader Mrs Badenoch said: “I’ve really struggled to find the words to say. Ann Widdecombe was a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind, and she was 78 years old, she was an elderly woman.
“I don’t understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person. It was a nasty, horrific attack and my heart is breaking for her family.”
Devon and Cornwall Police have set up a major incident public portal for the public to submit any relevant information.