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Ann Widdecombe murder probe: What we know so far

Tom McArthur
Widdecombe's last public appearance

Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe and a 26-year-old white British man has been arrested.

Devon and Cornwall Police say the 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home on Dartmoor in Devon on Thursday morning with serious injuries.

Here is everything we know - and do not know - about the probe so far:

What has happened?

PA Media A police officer looks down at a sheert of paper while wearing uniform next to a bush and police van outside Widdecombe's home on Friday.PA Media
Police were pictured attending Ann Widdecombe's home on Dartmoor on Friday

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident, police have said.

Devon and Cornwall Police's Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told a press conference there was "no information that this is a politically motivated crime" and also confirmed the incident was not being treated as terror-related.

Earlier, the force said Widdecombe was found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, a village on Dartmoor, on Thursday morning when officers were called by the ambulance service at around 11:40 BST.

Widdecombe's death was announced on Friday morning by her management team, but there was no information about when, how or where she died, and no detail on any suspicious circumstances.

The statement said in part: "We know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way."

Later on Friday afternoon, police issued a statement saying they had launched a murder investigation and released details of a suspect.

Widdecombe's management team then released another statement, saying they were "absolutely devastated" by news of the police investigation "following a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours".

A significant police presence remains at the house, with a BBC correspondent describing several police cars on the road outside and a police van on the driveway.

A satellite image of the Haytor area on Dartmoor in Devon. A marker highlights the location of Widdecombe’s house on a road south of Haytor village. An inset aerial photograph shows the property in detail, including a detached house, garden and outdoor swimming pool

Who is the alleged suspect?

A 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of the murder of Widdecombe. He remains in police custody.

He was arrested in Newton Abbot, a town roughly 10 miles from Haytor.

Officers initially said they were looking for a suspect, who they believed to be a white male, in connection with the case, which was "moving at a significant pace".

Det Ch Insp Ilona Rosson earlier said: "This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time

"I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us."

Map of south Devon, England, showing the location of Haytor within Dartmoor National Park. Haytor is marked with a red label in the north-eastern part of the national park. Newton Abbot is labelled to the east, Plymouth is labelled to the south-west, and Exeter is labelled to the north-east. An inset map of the UK on the left highlights the location in south-west England with a red dot.

How have people reacted?

Widdecombe's political career spanned decades - she served as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and worked as a Home Office and employment minister in John Major's government between 1994 to 1997.

Following news of the police investigation, Starmer said it was "shocking news" and his thoughts were with Widdecombe's family "at this awful time".

He said he had spoken to the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK's Nigel Farage, as well as Andy Burnham, "to urge everybody to come together".

Badenoch said she was "stunned" and "really struggled to find the words". She added: "My heart is breaking for her family."

Likely incoming prime minister Andy Burnham sent his condolences to Widdecombe's family, and said: "Ann gave a lifetime of public service".

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged the public "to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress".

In a post on X, she said the circumstances of Ann Widdecombe's death are "extremely distressing", adding that her "thoughts are with Ann's family and loved ones".

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.

After leaving Parliament she embarked on a showbiz career, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

Anton Du Beke, Widdecombe's dance partner on Strictly, said her death was the "saddest of news".

"We had an incredible time together," he said in a video on X.

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

In 2023, Widdecombe joined Nigel Farage's Reform UK, after the party changed its name from the Brexit Party, and made a number of appearances as the party's immigration and justice spokesperson.