On Thursday, July 9, 2026, police found Ann Widdecombe dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, with serious injuries. The 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokesperson had been attacked almost 24 hours earlier, at around 12:30 BST on Wednesday, according to Devon and Cornwall Police. A murder investigation was launched, and by Saturday evening a 28-year-old white British national had been arrested in South Yorkshire, roughly 270 miles from the scene. The suspect is in police custody. Earlier, a 26-year-old man arrested in Newton Abbot was released without charge and is no longer part of the investigation.
Ann Widdecombe first became an MP in 1987, representing a Kent constituency. She later served as a prisons minister and was a staunch Eurosceptic. After leaving the Conservatives, she stood as a Brexit Party candidate in the 2019 European elections and became an MEP, later acting as a spokesperson for Reform UK. She also gained fame outside politics through appearances on "Strictly Come Dancing" and "Celebrity Big Brother." Her death has prompted tributes from across the political spectrum, including from outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who called her "the fiercest defender of free speech."
“A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe at her Devon home. We explain the case.”
The investigation has moved quickly. Police believe Widdecombe was attacked at her bungalow on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. The last known communication from her was at 12:19pm on Wednesday, when she confirmed receipt of a Zoom link for an appearance on a Channel 5 show. She then missed a voice call at 12:53pm and did not respond to follow-up messages. Her management team was contacted later that evening. The ambulance service found her body at 11:40am on Thursday. Counter Terrorism Policing North East supported the arrest, but police stress there is no information to suggest a terrorism link. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said the force retains primacy and has made an “active decision not to release further information” to avoid compromising the investigation.
Why it matters for UK readers The murder of a high-profile former MP has raised concerns about the security of elected officials. Reform UK MPs have been placed under round-the-clock security, funded by the party, amid fears of copycat attacks. Widdecombe lived alone with her cat and had not mentioned any safety fears, according to her driver of ten years, Peter Horrall. The case also highlights the speed and complexity of major crime investigations, with officers from multiple forces coordinating across hundreds of miles.
Key questions answered
Q: Who was Ann Widdecombe? Ann Widdecombe was a prominent British politician who served as a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010 and as a prisons minister. After leaving the Tories, she became a Brexit Party MEP and later a spokesperson for Reform UK. She was also known for her appearances on reality TV shows like "Strictly Come Dancing."
Q: What is the timeline of the attack and discovery? Police believe Widdecombe was attacked at around 12:30 BST on Wednesday, July 8. Her last WhatsApp message was at 12:19pm. She missed a scheduled TV appearance that afternoon. Her body was found at her home at 11:40am on Thursday, July 9, after her management team raised concerns.
Q: Has the investigation found any link to terrorism? No. Counter Terrorism Policing assisted with the arrest, but police have stated there is no information to suggest this is a terrorism-related incident. Devon and Cornwall Police remain in charge of the investigation.
What happens next The 28-year-old suspect remains in police custody. Further arrests have not been ruled out. Police are continuing to carry out searches near Widdecombe's home and are appealing for any witnesses or information. The force has said it will provide further updates when possible, but is not releasing CCTV footage or suspect descriptions at this stage to preserve the integrity of the investigation.