The last time Ann Widdecombe spoke to anyone, she was live on TalkTV at 8am on Wednesday, talking about Nigel Farage. Less than five hours later, police believe, she was dead – attacked in the kitchen of her remote Dartmoor bungalow, her body left undiscovered for nearly 24 hours.
The 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home in Haytor at about 11.40am on Thursday by the ambulance service, having sustained serious injuries. A post-mortem examination has not yet established the official cause of death.
“A 28-year-old man arrested in Rotherham over Ann Widdecombe's murder; police say attack occurred at 12.30pm Wednesday, body found 24 hours later.”
Devon and Cornwall Police now believe the attack happened at 12.30pm on Wednesday – just 12 minutes after a TV researcher sent Widdecombe a message asking her to join a Zoom call for Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show. She never replied, and her phone went unanswered. Widdecombe had earlier appeared on TalkTV at 8.05am from the same home.
On Saturday evening, a 28-year-old white British man was arrested at an address in Rotherham, South Yorkshire – more than 270 miles from Widdecombe’s home. Counter-terrorism police were involved in the arrest, but the force stressed there was “no information to suggest this is a politically motivated crime” and it was not being treated as terror-related. A 26-year-old man arrested earlier has been released and is no longer part of the investigation.
CCTV footage obtained by The Telegraph appears to show a man placing “some kind of wooden stick” into the passenger side of a red car at an address linked to the suspect on the morning of the attack. Police have removed a red car from the driveway of a terraced property in Byrley Road, Kimberworth Park, where forensics officers in white overalls have been seen.
One neighbour in Rotherham said: “He’s been living there on his own. We’ve never even seen him. I don’t think anybody knows him. It’s so strange.” Another added: “Nothing happens on this street. We’ve been here 12 years and nothing has ever happened.”
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, paid his respects at Widdecombe’s home on Sunday. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman of Devon and Cornwall Police said the investigation was “moving at a significant pace” but urged anyone with information to come forward. The suspect remains in custody as police continue their inquiries.
