Police arrest suspect in killing of former UK minister Ann Widdecombe

British police arrested a 26-year-old White British man on Friday on suspicion of murdering Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK politician. The arrest took place in Newton Abbot, a town less than 15 kilometres from Widdecombe's home in rural southwest England. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman of Devon and Cornwall Police said there was no information to suggest the murder was terrorism-related or had a political motive.

Widdecombe was well known for her socially conservative views, first as a junior minister in Prime Minister John Major's government from 1992 to 1997, and later as an immigration and justice spokesperson for Nigel Farage's hard-right populist Reform UK. Police were called to Widdecombe's home shortly after midday on Thursday, where she was found dead. Forensic examinations at the property were ongoing.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to Widdecombe's dedication during her many years of public service. Two serving British MPs have been murdered in the past decade: Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 and Conservative MP David Amess in 2021.

Widdecombe was known for her bluntness and conservative stances, including opposition to abortion and equalising the age of consent for homosexuals. She also defended shackling pregnant prisoners during childbirth and viewed single mothers as poor role models, but notably opposed fox hunting. After leaving parliament, she appeared on "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2010, and later served as a Member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party from 2019 to 2020. Following her death, Nigel Farage and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised her role in delivering Brexit.