A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering the former MP Ann Widdecombe has been released from custody and is no longer part of the investigation, Devon and Cornwall police said early on Saturday. The white British national was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot, less than 10 miles from Widdecombe's home in Haytor, Devon, on Friday afternoon. But late on Friday, assistant chief constable Matt Longman said the man had been eliminated from the inquiry. “Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined,” he said. “Detectives continue to carry out numerous inquiries as part of the ongoing investigation.” Police are now seeking a white male in connection with the death, which is not being treated as terror-related or politically motivated.
Widdecombe’s body was found with “serious injuries” by the ambulance service at her home at 11.40am on Thursday. The former Conservative MP, who served from 1987 to 2010 for the Kent constituency of Maidstone, later became a Brexit party MEP and a member of Reform UK. She had been due to appear on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show on Wednesday by video call from her home. A researcher spoke to her on the phone and exchanged messages, with the last message received at 12.19pm. Widdecombe did not reply when contacted again, according to ITV News. Channel 5 presenter Dan Walker said: “The team contacted her agent to ask them to check in on her. This information has been passed to police as it's part of the investigation.”
“Police release 26-year-old suspect in Ann Widdecombe murder case, say he is no longer part of investigation.”
Christine Maloney, a neighbour in Haytor, described the area as “very safe” – so much so that locals leave their cars and front doors unlocked. “My husband saw her a week ago, driving around. I’m very shocked at (her death), it shouldn’t have happened, it’s horrific,” she said. “Everyone knows that’s her house, perhaps that’s the problem? It’s very, very safe around here.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Widdecombe’s death showed life for politicians had become even more dangerous. “Our nation is a much, much poorer place without her,” he said. “Rest in peace, Ann. A remarkable, principled woman, and a truly dreadful way to die, and a terrible reflection on modern Britain. And I do fear that for anybody in public life, or especially the political space, things have become even more dangerous.” Police are urging anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage to come forward and have asked the public not to speculate.
