Former government minister Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Devon on 9 July, prompting a murder investigation. Police have arrested a 28-year-old white British man in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, about 270 miles from her home.
What Happened on 8 July
On the morning of 8 July, Widdecombe was at home in Haytor Vale, a tiny village on the edge of Dartmoor, giving an interview to TalkTV at 8.05am in which she passionately defended Reform leader Nigel Farage amid a scandal over his finances. At 12.19pm, she spoke to a producer from Channel 5 about arranging a similar interview. Police believe she was attacked around 12.30pm. The Channel 5 producer sent unanswered messages from 12.48pm to 1.14pm, asking her to join a Zoom link and later asking, "Is everything OK?"
Discovery of Body and Initial Investigation
On 9 July at about 11.40am, police were called by the ambulance service after Widdecombe was found dead with serious injuries. Her management team released a statement confirming her death on 10 July at 6.30am, without suggesting suspicious circumstances. However, at 3.44pm, police confirmed they were launching a murder investigation. Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson stated that Devon and Cornwall Police were deploying "all of the necessary resources" to locate the suspect, described as a white male.
Arrests and Releases
At 5.45pm on 10 July, police arrested a 26-year-old white man on suspicion of murder. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said there was "no information" to believe the crime was politically motivated and it was not being treated as terrorism. On 11 July at 6.31am, the suspect was released without charge and was no longer part of the investigation. Police confirmed a manhunt was under way, moving at a "significant pace," and made an "active decision not to release further information" to avoid compromising inquiries. At 11.41pm that day, a 28-year-old white British male was arrested in South Yorkshire, with support from counter-terrorism policing north-east and South Yorkshire police.
Current Status
On 12 July at 11.36am, police stated there was nothing to suggest Widdecombe's death was politically motivated and that officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.
