Ann Widdecombe was attacked in her remote Dartmoor kitchen at around 12.30pm on Wednesday – but her body lay undiscovered for nearly 24 hours, police have revealed as they hunt a suspect now believed to be a white male.
The 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead in her Haytor bungalow at 11.40am on Thursday after the ambulance service alerted Devon and Cornwall Police. She had sustained “serious injuries” and was found in a pool of her own blood, according to investigators.
“Ann Widdecombe was attacked at 12.30pm Wednesday but her body wasn't found until 11.40am Thursday; a 28-year-old man is in custody.”
A 26-year-old man arrested on Friday was released on Saturday and is no longer part of the investigation. Shortly before midnight, police said a 28-year-old white British man had been arrested at an address in South Yorkshire, about 270 miles from Widdecombe’s home, on suspicion of murder. Counter-terrorism officers were involved in the arrest, but the force confirmed there is “no information that this is a politically motivated crime” and the incident is not being treated as terror-related.
Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said: “This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time. Our murder enquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace. We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible, who we believe to be a white male.”
Widdecombe had appeared on TalkTV from her home at 08.05 BST on Wednesday to speak about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. A Channel 5 researcher later messaged her at 12.19 looking to set up a video statement – her last message was received at 12.19. Police believe the attack came minutes later. The researcher messaged again at 12.48 asking Widdecombe to join a Zoom link, but she did not reply. Her phone went unanswered.
Nigel Farage paid his respects at her home on Saturday. Widdecombe, who served as MP for Maidstone and the Weald from 1987 to 2010 and later became a Brexit Party MEP, was also a former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, partnered with Anton du Beke in 2010. She remained active in media as a Reform UK spokeswoman up to her death.
Police said her next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. A cordon remains around the property as forensic examinations continue, and road closures are in effect. The force has appealed for anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage from the Haytor Vale area to come forward.
The official cause of death has not yet been released. Police decided not to release further information, including descriptions of potential suspects or CCTV footage, saying it could “compromise ongoing enquiries”. The manhunt continues, with the investigation described as moving at a significant pace.