Devon And Cornwall Police Arrest 26-Year-Old Man Suspected Of Murdering Ann Widdecombe

A murder investigation was launched after former British minister Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, with “serious injuries” on Thursday.

“In short: UK police have launched a murder investigation after the death of former minister Ann Widdecombe”

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Devon and Cornwall Police said a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder at an address in Newton Abbot, and the suspect remained in custody while inquiries continued.

ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

BBC News reported the body of the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson was found at about 11:40 BST on Thursday at her home in Haytor.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said police had “no information to believe that that is a politically motivated crime,” while also involving counter-terror policing as part of initial enquiries.

Sir Keir Starmer said the “whole country will be utterly shocked” by the circumstances of Ann Widdecombe’s death and urged people to “rise above any political differences.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told reporters she was “stunned” to hear police had opened a murder inquiry and said she did not understand “how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person.”

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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was “deeply, deeply upset by the nature of her death,” and the BBC reported he called it a “terrible reflection on modern Britain.”

The BBC also reported that Widdecombe’s next of kin had been informed and were being supported by specially trained officers, while a cordon remained in place at the property and officers carried out door-to-door and CCTV inquiries.

Devon and Cornwall police said the incident was not being treated as terrorism, after counter-terror policing was involved as part of “initial enquiries,” and the BBC reported Longman said it was “too early” to comment on whether the suspect was known to Widdecombe.

The BBC reported detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team launched a murder investigation and urged anyone with information to come forward, while also asking the public not to speculate about the circumstances of Widdecombe’s death.

In Exeter, Matt Longman said police were “open-minded at this time,” and he added: “I’ve got no information to believe that that is a politically motivated crime.”

The BBC said officers were particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the vicinity of Haytor Vale, Haytor, or who had CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage that could assist with the investigation.