Police are treating the death of Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister and Strictly Come Dancing star, as murder after she was found with serious injuries at her Devon home on Thursday morning. A 26-year-old white British man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said, adding that the case is not being treated as a terrorist incident and there is “no information” of a political motive.
Tributes poured in from across the political and entertainment worlds. Anton Du Beke, who partnered Widdecombe on Strictly in 2010, called her death the “saddest of news” in a video on X. “I had the most brilliant time with Ann … she became a real friend, she was fun, she was upbeat, she was positive,” he said. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said her party was “reeling”, describing Widdecombe as “a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind”. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called her a “distinguished politician” and urged people to “rise above any political differences”. Reform UK’s Nigel Farage hailed her as “an extraordinary woman” who “gave her life to public service”. Broadcaster Ashley James, who appeared with Widdecombe on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018, said she was “absolutely devastated”.
“Ann Widdecombe found dead with serious injuries; police arrest 26-year-old man on suspicion of murder.”
Widdecombe, 78, served as Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years until 2010 and was prisons minister under John Major. She later joined the Brexit Party in 2019, served as an MEP, and became a supporter of Reform UK in 2023. Her management, Cloud9 Management, remembered her as “a consummate professional” driven by “strong Christian values and commitment to public service”, quoting her words: “Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it.”
Her death has also sparked controversy. Political commentator Adam Boulton was criticised for calling Widdecombe a “spinster” and “old maid” on live television. Former Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi called the remarks “vile” and urged an apology, but Boulton refused, saying he “sticks to the facts” and that “Widders herself never gilded the lily”. Reform MP Robert Jenrick condemned Boulton’s comments, while The Spectator’s Madeline Grant described them as “horrible, horrible stuff”.
Widdecombe had spoken openly about death threats she received while in Parliament. In an interview last October, she recalled throwing away letters and telling staff to “put it in the bin”, adding: “If the IRA are going to do it, they’re not going to tell you in advance.” She also revealed she had CCTV cameras at home, which police are now likely to examine for clues. Assistant Chief Constable Longman said the force remains “open-minded” about the investigation.
