‘Abject terror’ of murdered Ann Widdecombe: Family’s shock as police arrest 26-year-old man after ex-MP is found covered in blood with head wound at Dartmoor house

Ann Widdecombe’s family spoke of their shock at her brutal murder on Friday night.

The 78-year-old former Conservative minister was feared to have spent his final moments in ‘horrible terror’ after a trespasser broke into his home.

Police believe Ms Widdecombe was found covered in blood when she was beaten to death by a lone male attacker at her remote home in Devon.

Detectives were questioning a 26-year-old suspect in connection with the murder last night. The white British man was detained a few miles away in Newton Abbot, just hours after news of the murder investigation became public.

Police launched a manhunt after the former prisons minister was found ‘seriously injured’ by a gardener at his Dartmoor home on Thursday. Concerns about his health increased after he did not appear on television.

The single former MP, who has been living alone since his retirement in 2010, was last seen during an interview on Talk TV at around 08:00 in the morning the previous day. He was scheduled to appear on Jeremy Vine’s Channel 5 program later that morning but was unable to attend.

His family became worried when they could not reach him by phone. Police were called at around 11.40am on Thursday after the gardener discovered his body in the kitchen of the Haytor bungalow.

Last night, as police were trying to establish the motive for the murder, a source close to the family said: ‘We are in complete shock and disbelief. It was hard enough to learn that we had lost Ann, but we still couldn’t come to terms with the fact that she died in such brutal circumstances. Maybe we never will.

They feared the 78-year-old former Conservative minister was spending his final moments in ‘horrible terror’ after an intruder at his home (pictured)

‘She was a small, weak, old woman. ‘The thing we find most difficult is that he was in great fear in the last minutes of his life.’ Police have not said whether any weapons were used and it is believed nothing was taken from the property.

When the death of the well-known politician turned TV star, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother, was first announced, the management team did not suggest any foul play.

But as revealed on dailymail.com, Devon and Cornwall Police launched a murder investigation, with officers swarming onto the property.

There were a number of CCTV cameras around Ms Widdecombe’s home, which may have helped officers identify the suspect so quickly.

When asked about his own safety in an interview last year, he joked: ‘I’ve never gone into big doors and electronics and all that nonsense.

‘Anybody can break in and steal a dwarf [but] I catch them on my cameras, so if anyone wants to steal a dwarf they better mask up.’

It was a typically no-nonsense attitude towards his own safety from an MP who has said throughout his political career that he would ‘rubbish’ even death threats from the IRA.

The fearless politician was a permanent fixture in British public life thanks to his long career as a no-nonsense, tough-talking figure on the Right.

He served as a Conservative MP for the Kent constituency of Maidstone between 1987 and 2010, later for Maidstone and the Weald, and held various ministerial positions in John Major’s government.

Devon and Cornwall Police Deputy Chief Matt Longman said the case was ‘not being treated as terrorism’ and there was currently ‘no information’ to suggest this was a politically motivated crime.

Ms Widdecombe became a Brexit Party MP and later a UK Reform supporter

He appeared on Talk TV on Wednesday, a few days before his death

The single former MP, who has been living alone since his retirement in 2010, was last seen during an interview on Talk TV at around 08:00 in the morning the previous day.

Detectives are currently trying to determine if there was any prior contact between the suspect and the victim.

He said: ‘This is an extremely tragic incident. ‘Our thoughts are with Ms Widdecombe’s family and friends at this difficult time.’

Asked whether the attack was a burglary gone wrong, the senior police officer said police remained ‘open-minded’ about the motive for the attack.’

The former Tory minister, known for opposing abortion and gay rights, was a regular target for Leftist campaigners and activists who opposed his outspoken, socially conservative views.

But the 78-year-old Brexiteer and devout Catholic refused to be intimidated by terrorists, even after the murder of fellow MP and ‘best friend in Parliament’ Sir David Amess. Asked last October if she feared being physically attacked because of her beliefs and high profile, Ms Widdecombe defiantly said: ‘No.’

‘I took a very firm stance,’ he said. ‘In my day it was the IRA and I think I had a bit of a disbelieving attitude.

‘I remember receiving death threats from time to time. We’ve all done this and my staff said, “Should we call the police?” he asked.

‘I’d say ‘Throw it in the bin’ because if the IRA are going to do it, they won’t tell you in advance, they’ll just do it. Like they did at Airey Neave [assassinated in a 1979 car bomb].

‘I still maintain this attitude. ‘I know we’re in a slightly different world, but I think it’s very important that MPs and their constituents mix freely.’ He said Sir David, 69, who was stabbed to death by Islamic State fanatic Ali Harbi Ali during constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, in October 2021, agreed with him.

“I knew him very well and of course I knew his family,” he added. ‘I know, and I told his widow, who agreed with me, that he would never want his death to be used as a reason to alienate MPs from their constituents.

‘His belief, and my belief too, is that an MP should be able to walk around the town and talk to his constituents on a Saturday afternoon. I feel very strongly about this.’

Miss Widdecombe during her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. Partnered with Anton Du Beke

Forensic experts outside Ann Widdecombe’s home in Haytor, Dartmoor

Ms Widdecombe was known for opposing the legality of abortion, issues surrounding LGBT+ rights and supporting the reintroduction of the death penalty.

During his ‘Lust for Life’ tour in 2008, during which he spoke out against amendments to the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill that reduced barriers to same-sex couples being recognized on a birth certificate, he found himself regularly heckled by protesters who staged demonstrations against his pro-life views.

Throughout his political career, he never once voted in favor of gay rights; He opposed major legislative acts such as civil partnerships, the repeal of Section 28 of the Equality Act, lowering the age of consent for gay sex and adoption by same-sex couples.

Ms Widdecombe was never physically attacked for her beliefs; but in April 2000, while he was shadow home secretary, he was hit in the face with a cream cake during a book signing.

But after wiping the pudding off his face in the toilet, he continued: ‘This demonstration was a pointless waste of police time, carried out by people who clearly have no respect for freedom of expression.’

After serving as a Conservative Party MP for over two decades, he became a Brexit Party MP and joined Reform UK in 2023; Just two days ago he appeared on television to support Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election. Last night, MPs and celebrities paid their respects.

Reform Britain leader Nigel Farage said his murder was a ‘horrible reflection on modern Britain’.

He said: ‘Our nation is a much poorer place without him. Reformation England is surely a much worse place without it. I expected to see him in Clacton in the next few days. Unfortunately that won’t happen.’

Sir Keir Starmer urged people to ‘come together’ across political divides following the murder. He said: ‘This is truly shocking news and my thoughts, I think all our thoughts, will be with Ann Widdecombe’s family and friends at this terrible time.

‘Ann was an outstanding politician who achieved so much over many years and this is a huge, huge loss.’

Conservative leader Mrs Badenoch said: ‘I don’t understand how anyone could do such a terrible thing to an elderly person. ‘This was a disgusting, horrific attack and my heart breaks for his family.’

Former Tory leader Boris Johnson called for police to respond: ‘Sadness over the death of Ann Widdecombe is now turning to anger and shock at the news that she appears to have been murdered. ‘We need the facts as quickly as possible.’

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: ‘I am so sorry to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe. ‘The circumstances of his death are extremely saddening.’

Her Strictly partner Anton du Beke, who famously dragged himself around the floor, added: ‘He’s become a real friend. It was great fun. He was optimistic. It was positive. He was supportive. “We had an incredible time together and remained firm friends.

‘My thoughts are with his nearest and dearest and all his family. This is a sad day and I am devastated by the news of Ann’s passing, but I will remember and miss her fondly.

Ms Widdecombe’s management team, Cloud9 Management, said: ‘We are absolutely devastated by the news, coming after a very traumatic and distressing 24 hours.’