Ann Widdecombe murder investigation latest: Male suspect, 26, arrested over death of ex-Tory minister at Devon home

Ann Widdecombe murder investigation latest: Male suspect, 26, arrested over death of ex-Tory minister at Devon home A white British national remains in police custody after he was arrested this afternoon - Bookmark A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe, police have said. The suspect, who is a white British national, was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot this afternoon and remains in police custody. Detectives launched a murder investigation into the 78-year-old’s death after she was found with serious injuries at her home. Her death is not being treated as a terrorist incident, and police do not believe it was politically motivated. Devon and Cornwall police assistant chief constable Matt Longman said the inquiry into the “tragic incident” was in its early stages, but moving at a “significant pace”. His force does not believe there is an ongoing risk to the public and urged anyone with information to come forward. The former Tory minister’s body was discovered after police were called to the home at 11.40am on Thursday. Throughout her political career, Miss Widdecombe was a prominent Eurosceptic and supported the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 Brexit referendum. She became a member of the Brexit Party from 2019 and served as an MEP representing South West England in Brussels between 2019 and 2020 before joining Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in 2023. What did we learn from today's press conference? Devon and Cornwall Police held a press conference on the death of Ann Widdecombe’s death today, announcing that a 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of her murder. They said the suspect was a white British national, who was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on Friday afternoon. Police also said Widdecombe’s death was not being treated as a terrorist incident, but counter-terrorism policing had been consulted during initial inquiries. They do not currently believe it was politically motivated either. After receiving a call from the ambulance service at 11.40am, police found Widdecombe dead in her home. They said she had sustained “serious injuries”. Her next of kin have been informed, and are being supported by specially trained officers. The investigation is in the “early stages”, but moving at a “significant pace”. A cordon remains in place of the property while specialist officers continue forensic examinations and gather evidence. In pictures: Police surround 'Widdecombe's rest' as they continue to gather evidence Polanksi pays tribute Widdecombe after 'shocking' news Shocked to hear the news about the circumstances of Ann Widdecombe's death. — Zack Polanski (@ZackPolanski) July 10, 2026 My thoughts are with her loved ones at this distressing time. Friends say they will remember Widdecombe’s kindness Gawain Towler, a board member of Reform UK, told The Independent “despite her public image of ‘Doris Karloff’” - as she was once infamously dubbed - “she was a deeply kind woman”. He recalled once, when he arrived hours early for an event with his then 12-year-old son in tow, the interest she took in the child. “She was plain speaking,” he said, “and of course perhaps her most famous comment was about Michael Howard, that he had ‘something of the night” about him. But I will remember her as a friend and as a kind and thoughtful woman”. Police do not believe Widdecombe death was politically-motivated Police have no reason to believe that Ann Widdecombe’s death was politically-motivated. Assistant chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police Matt Longman told a press conference: “At this time, again it’s early stages of the investigation, so we remain open-minded at this time. “I’ve got no information to believe that that is a politically motivated crime.” He said it was too early to comment when asked if the suspect was known to Ms Widdecombe. “We remain open-minded throughout the investigation, and we’re making those inquiries,” said Mr Longman. “It’s too early for me to comment further on that at this time.” He also said her death was not being treated as a terrorist incident. Police presence will 'remain high' as detectives gather evidence Police presence will remain high in the Haytor area following the arrest of a 26-year-old man in connection with Ann Widdecombe’s death. Devon and Cornwall police assistant chief constable Matt Longman said his force was still gathering evidence and renewed calls for CCTV footage. He said he was not aware of any ongoing risk. “Of course, we also want people to feel safe,” he told a press conference. “At the moment, I don't know of any ongoing risk...We know that the presence of our officers, just to make people know we're there, be available to give advice, etc, we'll be around. “So you can expect an increased presence throughout the weekend.” Widdecombe death not being treated as terrorist incident Ann Widdecombe’s death is not being treated as a terrorist incident after a 26 year old man was arrested. Police said counter-terrorism policing had been consulted during initial inquiries. Devon and Cornwall police assistant chief constable Matt Longman told a press conference: “Detectives from the force major crime investigation team have launched a murder investigation, and are conducting extensive inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Ms Widdecombe’s death. “While we work closely with our partners and consulted counter-terrorism policing as part of our initial inquiries, the incident is not being treated as terrorism. “A cordon remains in place at the property, while specialist officers continue forensic examinations. There are road closures in place around the scene, and the public will see significant police activity in the area while detectives and other officers continue house-to-house and CCTV inquiries. Breaking: Man, 26, arrested on suspicion of murder of Widdecombe A 26 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. The suspect is a white British national, who remains in police custody. He was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot this afternoon. Press conference begins Detectives from Devon & Cornwall Police have kicked off a press conference into their murder investigation into Ms Widdecombe’s death. You can watch The Independent’s livestream here Former Tory leader 'enormously proud to have known' Widdecombe Conservative former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said he was “enormously proud to have known” Ann Widdecombe, as he paid tribute to her. Sir Iain, the Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, told Sky News: “The day started with sad news about Ann and her death. I and others reacted to that out of sadness. “And then, what, an hour, an hour-and-a-half, maybe two hours ago, it suddenly became apparent that this sad news is tragic news. “We cannot say for certain this is a murder case. But what we do know is it’s a violent act, one way or the other, and that is a tragedy for all of us who were very fond of Ann, and not the right way to go at all.” He added: “I have to say I was enormously proud to have known her. We didn’t always agree on everything, but we agreed on most things.”