Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of former UK MP Ann Widdecombe.
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.
Suspected arrested after UK’s former’s MP murder:
A 26-year-old man was arrested on Friday afternoon at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe
The suspect, a white British national, is in police custody while inquires continue
It’s not being treated as a terrorist incident after consulting with counter-terror policing as part of “initial enquiries”
The murder inquiry is in its early stages – police are appealing to the public to share relevant information
There is no information at this time to believe the incident was politically motivated, and Longman said it is “too early” to comment on whether or not the suspect was known to Widdecombe.
The incident is not being treated as terrorism and there is “no information” to suggest it was politically motivated, they added.
Police say it is too early to comment on whether the suspect was known to Widdecombe.
British politicians pay tribute:
UK’s PM Keir Starmer says the murder investigation is “shocking news”, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says she is “stunned” over the “horrific” incident.
Former PM Boris Johnson says “we need the facts as fast as we can” in an X post following news of the arrest and murder inquiry.
Linking to his earlier post made before the investigation was made public, where he referred to Widdecombe as a “heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker”, Johnson writes: “Sadness at the death of Ann Widdecombe now turning to anger and bewilderment at the news that she seems to have been murdered.”
UK’s Reform leader Nigel Farage pays tribute to ‘remarkable’ Widdecombe as he is ‘deeply upset’ by nature of death.
He also released a video statement describing Widdecombe – a spokesperson for his party – as having been an “extraordinary” and “remarkable, principled woman”.
Leader of the Green Party Zack Polanski says he is “shocked to hear the news about the circumstances of Ann Widdecombe’s death”.
“My thoughts are with her loved ones at this distressing time,” he says in a post on X.
Andy Burnham also expressed his deepest condolences and said that his “thoughts are with Ann’s family today, in incredibly distressing circumstances.”
Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman, served as the MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years.
