Authorities in southwest England have taken a 26-year-old British man into custody on suspicion of murdering former politician Ann Widdecombe. The arrest occurred shortly after the 78-year-old was discovered dead at her residence in Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday around midday, having sustained serious injuries.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that the investigation is not currently being treated as an act of terrorism or a politically motivated crime. Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson stated that while the inquiry is in its early stages, it is progressing rapidly. Police are actively seeking information from the public, particularly regarding any suspicious activity near Haytor or Haytor Vale, and are requesting that anyone with CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage contact them.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer extended his condolences to Widdecombe’s family and friends, describing the event as shocking. He emphasized that the incident transcends political divides, noting that he had consulted with parliamentary leaders, including Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, to urge national unity and cooperation with the ongoing police investigation.
Widdecombe, a prominent figure in British politics, served as a Conservative MP from 1987 until 2010. During the 1990s, she held various ministerial roles under John Major’s government, including serving as prisons minister. After Labour came to power in 1997, she was a senior shadow minister in opposition, first as Shadow Health Secretary and then as Shadow Home Secretary. She sought the party leadership in 2001 but couldn’t drum up enough support among fellow MPs to launch a bid. Though she retired from politics in 2010, she returned to the spotlight during the 2016 Brexit referendum and later aligned herself with Nigel Farage.
Beyond her political career, Widdecombe was well-known for her television appearances, including a run on the reality show Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and a second-place finish in the 2018 series of Celebrity Big Brother. A late-life convert to Catholicism, she was noted for her traditional stances on issues ranging from immigration and climate change to law and order. Don’t let the algorithm hide the news. If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google by clicking here and hitting the “star” or “preferred” button, so you’ll always see our verified news first.
