A 26-year-old man has been taken into custody by Devon and Cornwall Police in connection with the death of former government minister Ann Widdecombe. The suspect, identified as a white British national, was apprehended on Friday at a residence located in Newton Abbot, Devon, and currently remains in police custody.
Authorities discovered the body of the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson at her home in Haytor, a rural village situated on Dartmoor, at approximately 11:40 BST on Thursday. Police reported that she was found with serious injuries.
While counter-terror policing was involved during the initial stages of the investigation, officials have confirmed that the incident is not being treated as an act of terrorism. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman addressed the media on Friday, stating that there is currently no information to suggest the incident was a politically motivated crime. He added that it remains too early to determine whether the suspect had a prior relationship with Ms. Widdecombe.
The investigation is currently in its early phases, and police have appealed for anyone with relevant information to come forward. Ms. Widdecombe’s next of kin have been notified of the tragedy and are receiving support from specially trained officers.
The news of her death has drawn reactions from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the event as “really shocking,” while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed that she was stunned by the “awful news.” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also commented on the situation, stating he was “deeply, deeply upset by the nature of her death.”
