Devon and Cornwall police announced early Saturday that a 26-year-old man previously arrested on suspicion of the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe has been released from custody and is no longer part of the ongoing investigation. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman stated that the force remains committed to identifying those responsible and ensuring all evidence is thoroughly examined by detectives.
Widdecombe’s body was discovered with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday at 11:40 am. Longman noted that the investigation is progressing at a significant pace, with authorities deploying all necessary resources to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. He appealed to the public for any information, however minor, and urged against speculation, particularly on social media, noting its harmful impact on the investigation and the victim’s grieving family.
The arrest of the 26-year-old British national occurred on Friday at an address in Newton Abbot, located less than 10 miles from the victim’s residence. Police have confirmed they do not believe the incident was politically motivated and have ruled out terrorism following consultation with counter-terrorism officers. Widdecombe, who lived in a bungalow called Widdecombe’s Rest in Haytor Vale, had appeared on TalkTV on Wednesday, the day before her death. She had also been scheduled to appear on a Channel 5 show hosted by Matt Allwright that afternoon but failed to attend, leading to unsuccessful attempts by the production team to reach her.
Political figures have expressed profound shock at the tragedy. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the news as deeply distressing, honoring Widdecombe as a distinguished politician with a long history of achievements. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also shared her horror, reflecting on Widdecombe’s career, which spanned the Conservative party, the Brexit party, and Reform UK. Widdecombe served as an MEP for South West England between 2019 and 2020 and was recognized for various media appearances, including her 2010 stint on Strictly Come Dancing.
