Man Arrested on Suspicion of Ann Widdecombe's Murder Released
A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe has been released and is no longer a suspect. Police continue their investigation.
Devon and Cornwall Police announced early Saturday that a 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe has been released from custody and is no longer part of the investigation.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said in a statement that their priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring all available evidence is thoroughly examined. Detectives are continuing numerous enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation.
Widdecombe's body was found with serious injuries by the ambulance service at her home in Haytor, Devon, at 11:40 am on Thursday. Longman said the investigation is moving at a significant pace and all necessary resources are being deployed.
On Friday, police said they were seeking a white male in connection with the death and later confirmed the arrest of a 26-year-old white British national at an address in Newton Abbot, less than 10 miles from Widdecombe's home. At a press conference in Exeter, Longman stated that the killing is not believed to be politically motivated at this stage, and after initial consultation with counter-terrorism officers, a terrorist motive has been ruled out.
Widdecombe, who appeared on TalkTV on Wednesday, lived in Haytor Vale, a village within the Dartmoor National Park, in a 1970s bungalow named "Widdecombe's Rest." A plaque with the property's name was positioned at the end of her driveway.
On Friday, political leaders across the spectrum expressed shock and horror at the alleged killing. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was important to rise above any political differences and focus on helping the police investigation, describing Widdecombe as a distinguished politician with many achievements.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she was stunned, adding, "I don't understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person. It was a nasty, horrific attack and my heart is breaking for her family."
In her post-Commons career, Widdecombe appeared on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2010. She became a member of Nigel Farage's Brexit Party in 2019 and served as an MEP for South West England from 2019 to 2020. She later became immigration and justice spokesperson for Reform UK and remained active in the media.
Widdecombe was due to be a guest on Channel 5's Matt Allwright show on Wednesday afternoon but did not appear, as first reported by ITV. She had exchanged messages with a researcher but did not respond when they tried to contact her to join a Zoom call. Calls and texts after the programme aired remained unanswered, and the show's team followed up with her agent later on Wednesday and on Thursday.
