Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead in her Dartmoor bungalow on Thursday morning – discovered by a carer, covered in blood, with at least one serious head wound. The 78-year-old, who lived alone in Haytor Vale, was pronounced dead at the scene after police were called by the ambulance service at about 11.40am.
Just over 24 hours later, Devon and Cornwall Police arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of murder. The suspect, a white British national, was detained on Friday afternoon in Newton Abbott, around eight miles from the crime scene. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said there was no evidence to suggest the killing was politically motivated, and detectives are not treating it as terror-related, following consultation with counter-terror policing.
“Ann Widdecombe found dead with serious head wounds; police arrest 26-year-old man on suspicion of murder.”
“This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time,” said Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson, who confirmed the murder inquiry was “moving at a significant pace”. She added that police believed the person responsible was a white male. The force launched the murder investigation at 3.50pm on Friday, two hours before the arrest was announced.
Widdecombe, a household name who served as a Conservative MP and later became a reality TV star and outspoken Brexit campaigner, last appeared in public on Wednesday morning on Talk TV, where she backed Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election. Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team are now building a timeline of her movements from that moment to the time of her death, and are examining extensive CCTV in and around her home. It remains unclear whether anything was stolen, how the attacker gained entry, or whether a weapon was used. Police have not confirmed the cause of death.
“We are deploying all the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened,” ACC Longman said. “I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.” Her next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. The question of whether the suspect was known to Widdecombe has not yet been answered – Longman said it was “too early” to say.
