Man arrested for suspected murder of former British MP Ann Widdecombe at her home
Reform UK politician Ann Widdecombe, 78, was found dead with serious injuries at her home in south-west England. A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of her murder.
A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after former British MP and television personality Ann Widdecombe was found dead with serious injuries at her home in south-west England, police said on Friday.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the suspect remains in custody and that the investigation is ongoing. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said there was no indication that the killing was an act of terrorism or politically motivated and declined to comment on a possible motive.
Widdecombe, 78, was found at her residence in Haytor Vale on the edge of Dartmoor National Park on Thursday.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Widdecombe's death as "really shocking news" and extended his condolences to her family and friends. "Ann was a distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements, and it's a huge, huge loss," he said.
Asked whether the killing was politically motivated, Starmer said he would not speculate, adding that the safety of elected representatives remained "of the utmost importance" and urging people to rise above political differences.
The incident has renewed attention on the security of British politicians, which has been strengthened following the murders of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 and Conservative MP David Amess in 2021.
Widdecombe served as a Conservative MP in the House of Commons from 1987 to 2010 and was known for her outspoken socially conservative views, including her opposition to abortion rights and the expansion of LGBTQ rights.
After leaving Parliament, she gained wider public recognition through appearances on television programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. She later joined the Brexit Party and became a prominent campaigner and spokeswoman for Reform UK.
Paying tribute, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Widdecombe as a "heroic Brexiteer" and "a great speaker who could move Tory audiences to such ecstasy that she was a very hard act to follow."
Cloud9 Management, which represented Widdecombe after her parliamentary career, said her life was defined by strong Christian values and a lifelong commitment to public service.
"She loved the cut and thrust of political debate and, 16 years after leaving Parliament, was still actively campaigning for Reform UK and offering forthright views on the hot topics of the day," the company said.
Recalling her philosophy on life, the agency quoted Widdecombe as saying: "We get one go this side of eternity, one go. Life is not a dress rehearsal. You take opportunities that you like and you go for it."
Police continued their investigation on Friday as tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, remembering Widdecombe's decades-long political career and enduring public profile.
A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after former British MP and television personality Ann Widdecombe was found dead with serious injuries at her home in south-west England, police said on Friday.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the suspect remains in custody and that the investigation is ongoing. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said there was no indication that the killing was an act of terrorism or politically motivated and declined to comment on a possible motive.
Widdecombe, 78, was found at her residence in Haytor Vale on the edge of Dartmoor National Park on Thursday.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Widdecombe's death as "really shocking news" and extended his condolences to her family and friends. "Ann was a distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements, and it's a huge, huge loss," he said.
Asked whether the killing was politically motivated, Starmer said he would not speculate, adding that the safety of elected representatives remained "of the utmost importance" and urging people to rise above political differences.
The incident has renewed attention on the security of British politicians, which has been strengthened following the murders of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 and Conservative MP David Amess in 2021.
Widdecombe served as a Conservative MP in the House of Commons from 1987 to 2010 and was known for her outspoken socially conservative views, including her opposition to abortion rights and the expansion of LGBTQ rights.
After leaving Parliament, she gained wider public recognition through appearances on television programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. She later joined the Brexit Party and became a prominent campaigner and spokeswoman for Reform UK.
Paying tribute, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson described Widdecombe as a "heroic Brexiteer" and "a great speaker who could move Tory audiences to such ecstasy that she was a very hard act to follow."
Cloud9 Management, which represented Widdecombe after her parliamentary career, said her life was defined by strong Christian values and a lifelong commitment to public service.
"She loved the cut and thrust of political debate and, 16 years after leaving Parliament, was still actively campaigning for Reform UK and offering forthright views on the hot topics of the day," the company said.
Recalling her philosophy on life, the agency quoted Widdecombe as saying: "We get one go this side of eternity, one go. Life is not a dress rehearsal. You take opportunities that you like and you go for it."
Police continued their investigation on Friday as tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, remembering Widdecombe's decades-long political career and enduring public profile.
