Nigel Farage has cast doubt on the theory that Ann Widdecombe’s death was a burglary gone wrong, claiming the former Tory MP’s murder was “premeditated” – as police confirmed a 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of killing her has been released and is “no longer part of the investigation”.
The Reform UK leader placed flowers at Dartmoor National Park in Widdecombe’s memory on Saturday, hours after Devon and Cornwall Police said the white British man, who was arrested on Friday evening, had been released from custody. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said the murder investigation is “moving at a significant pace” but urged the public not to speculate on social media.
“Nigel Farage claims Ann Widdecombe’s murder was premeditated as police release the arrested 26-year-old suspect.”
Widdecombe, 78, was found dead with serious head injuries at her home in Haytor, Dartmoor, after police were called by the ambulance service at around 11.40am on Thursday. Her carer found her in the kitchen and was spoken to at the scene. A cordon remains in place as forensic examinations continue.
Farage, speaking at a memorial at the Moorland Hotel in Newton Abbot, said one police theory – that a lunchtime burglary on Wednesday went wrong – made “no sense” to him. He pointed out that a car drove onto Widdecombe’s drive at approximately 12.25-12.30pm on Wednesday, shortly before she was due to appear on Channel 5 via Zoom at 1pm. When she did not join the call, researchers at Matt Allwright’s show grew concerned by her uncharacteristic silence.
“If you were a burglar, would you literally drive your car onto someone’s drive?” Farage asked, suggesting the killer had a motive “there from the very start”. He added: “From what I can see of it, from what I make out, this was premeditated murder.” He speculated that the motive could be political or a personal grudge, but said “it doesn’t pay at this time to speculate”. Authorites, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, have also discouraged public theorising, stressing the importance of “rising above political differences”.
Farage, who worked with Widdecombe when she became a Brexit Party MEP and later a Reform UK spokeswoman, said her murder suggests the world is “much more dangerous than it’s ever been” for politicians. He drew a chilling parallel to the unsolved fatal shooting of TV presenter Jill Dando, saying: “Whatever the outcome of the motives of a killer, let’s just hope and pray this is not a Jill Dando type case where they don’t find a person.”
ACC Longman said detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team are conducting “extensive enquiries”, including house-to-house and CCTV searches. He appealed for anyone with information to come forward, adding: “This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe.”