Ann Widdecombe murder detectives arrest British man, 26, after ex-Tory minister found dead

Detectives have arrested a 26-year-old British man on suspicion of murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe after she was found dead at her remote Dartmoor home.

According to the information obtained, the 78-year-old fiery politician was found covered in blood with serious head injuries.

Police were called to his home in Haytor, an idyllic village within Devon’s Dartmoor National Park, at around 11.40am on Thursday morning.

The former Conservative prisons minister, who later became a Brexit Party MP and then Reform UK spokesman, was found at the property where he was living alone.

Detectives from Devon and Cornwall Police’s major crime investigation team announced they had arrested a white British man in the nearby town of Newton Abbott on Friday afternoon.

Deputy Chief Constable Matt Longman said police were keeping an open mind about whether the killing was politically motivated or whether Ms Widdecombe knew the suspect in custody.

He said the investigation was in its “early stages” and “moving at significant pace” but confirmed her death was not being treated as a terrorist incident, although the force was consulting with the Counter Terrorism Police.

“We are using all resources necessary to find out exactly what happened,” he added. “I would urge anyone with information about this incident, no matter how trivial it may seem, to come forward and talk to us.”

“Roads remain closed around the scene and the public will see significant police activity in the area as detectives and other officers continue house-to-house and CCTV inquiries.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he would not speculate on whether the attack was politically motivated, while urging anyone with information about the “clearly dangerous” suspect to come forward.

Speaking at the rural retreat in Chequers, 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 for them.

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

“I spoke to the chief constable this afternoon about the details and I think it’s really important because this is a moment where we have overcome all political differences and political divisions and we say the most important thing now is for all of us and the public to help the police identify the suspicious person and ensure that he is arrested as quickly as possible.

“He is clearly dangerous and I would appeal to anyone with any information about him to assist police with their investigations and take him into police custody.”

The inquest follows the murders of MPs David Amess and Jo Cox, which led to widespread calls for an end to political violence, but the cause and circumstances behind Ms Widdecombe’s death are unclear.

Conservative MP David Amess was stabbed to death as he met voters at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on 15 October 2021. The 69-year-old father of five was a “close friend” of Mrs Widdecombe, who was godmother to one of his children.

Sir David’s killer, Ali Harbi Ali, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment at the Old Bailey in 2022.

Labor MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed by neo-Nazi Thomas Mair in the Batley and Spen constituency just days before the EU referendum in June 2016.

Kemi Badenoch said she was “stunned” by news of the “appalling” attack following Ms Widdecombe’s last public appearance on Talk radio on Wednesday.

The Conservative leader said: “I was so shocked to hear this terrible news. To be honest, I really struggled to find the words to say. “Ann Widdecombe was a very funny and feisty woman who spoke her mind and at 78 she was an old lady.

“I don’t understand how someone could do such a terrible thing to an elderly person. “This was an ugly, horrific attack and my heart breaks for his family.

“It’s one thing for someone to die, but it’s terrible to know that she was killed in such a horrific way. The Conservative Party is reeling. “Ann was a long-standing member of the Conservative Party, was a Conservative minister and then switched to Reform.

“I am sure they are as stunned as we are, and on behalf of the Conservative Party I offer my condolences to Nigel Farage and everyone in the Reform movement because we have both lost a friend.”

Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke, who partnered the politician on the show in 2010, said he was “devastated”.

In a video shared on X before police announced they were launching a murder investigation, he said: “I had the most amazing time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing.

“He became a true friend. He was fun. He was optimistic. He was positive. He was supportive. We had an incredible time together and remained firm friends.”

Ms Widdecombe’s management firm, Cloud 9, urged anyone with information to contact police, saying: “We are absolutely devastated by the news, coming after a very traumatic and distressing 24 hours.”

Neighbors near his rural home, dubbed ‘Widdecombe’s retreat’, reacted with horror. Police forensic teams combed the property on Friday evening and locals have been warned to expect an increased police presence as the investigation continues.

A neighbor who lives 200 meters away said he woke up yesterday and saw a large police presence at his home before seeing the news.

Craig Matthews, who lives with his wife and works as a property manager, said he had only met her a few times at the village store. he said Independent At Haytor, “nothing happens” and everyone leaves their doors open.

“I didn’t agree with him politically, but I would never wish something like this to happen to anyone,” he added. “It’s quite shocking, everyone is in shock and disbelief,” he said.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said Ms Widdecombe had a gardener who came every week on Thursdays. He said he came yesterday morning and heard the mower and then it stopped. The police and ambulance arrived in a short time.

Another neighbor said he hung Reformation posters around his house.

“She was just a sweet little old lady,” they said. “When I passed him, he would say hello. I hated his policies, but he was an extremely nice person.”

Ms Widdecombe remained politically active until her death, friends said. He would travel the country to attend events for the Reform party led by Nigel Farage, which he joined after a long career with the Conservatives.

He was also a member of a WhatsApp group of former pro-Brexit MPs; here he operated a ‘swear box’, fining fellow members if their tongues became unproductive, especially after a night out.

“And sure enough, he swore one time and had a pile of crap,” a friend said Independent.

Dedicated to her home on the edge of Dartmoor, she wrote in a newspaper column in 2024: “It goes without saying that I have long given up trying to convince anyone that I really prefer to live alone and that the last thing I want is for anyone else to be around all the time.”