Ann Widdecombe’s cat confirmed safe – ‘quick removal from the scene’ | UK | News
The late Ann Widdecombe’s beloved pet cat has been confirmed safe and well after being “rapidly removed from the scene” at her home in Devon. Aloysius, the rescued ginger cat who was a constant companion to the former Conservative MP and Reform UK spokesperson, is being cared for in a secure location following the tragic events at his home in Haytor Vale, Dartmoor, last week.
Concerns for the animal’s welfare increased following news of Ms Widdecombe’s death. However, they were assured that the pet was quickly and safely secured by response teams. Journalist Peter Cardwell took to social media to reassure the public, writing: “[Ann Widdecombe’s] to manage [Cloud 9 Management] tell me: ‘Aloysuis was removed from the scene very quickly. She is safe and well cared for and Ann’s family will make a long-term plan. You can be sure that he displayed his usual authoritarian attitude!'”
The news will come as a huge relief to animal lovers across the country. Mrs Widdecombe was famously fond of her pets throughout her life. He never married, and when not working or campaigning in London he lived quietly in the West Country with the last of his line of cats, including Pugwash and Carruthers.
His deep protectiveness for his pets was evident when he arrived in the Emergency Department at Newton Abbot Community Hospital earlier this year. The 78-year-old suffered a serious fall onto the bathroom tiles after taking a tumble while trying to free a stray mouse from his cat’s clutches – and later praised the “super efficient” NHS staff who treated him.
Ms Widdecombe’s passion for animal welfare extended far beyond her own home. He was a leading deputy leader of the RSPCA, a patron of the Cat Protection League, and actively advocated for strict animal welfare laws during his decades in Parliament, famously opposing fox hunting.
Tributes poured in from across the animal welfare industry, including Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Lancashire, where Ms Widdecombe served as a passionate supporter. In 2018, she officially opened the sanctuary’s new £18,000 kitten unit, designed to provide specialist care for mothers and their kittens. A spokesman for the shelter said: “Everyone at Bleakholt is devastated to hear of Ann Widdecombe’s death. “Ann visited Bleakholt in 2018 and opened our new £18,000 kitten unit.
“She was a lovely lady who fell in love with a rabbit named Brandon while he was visiting us and kept in touch and donated. Our thoughts are with Ann’s family and friends.”
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding Ms Widdecombe’s death are ongoing and counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation. Although Devon and Cornwall Police initially ruled out a political motive, “new information and evidence” led to national counter-terrorism teams taking over the case to determine the true motivation behind the attack.
The 28-year-old suspect, who was arrested 260 miles away in Rotherham, was re-arrested on suspicion of preparation or instigation of terrorist acts. Police believe Ms Widdecombe was attacked at her home at around 12.30pm on July 8, approximately 24 hours before her body was found.
