Former Politician Found Dead at Secluded Property
Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK politician and television personality, was found dead from serious injuries at her five-bedroom chalet-bungalow in the Dartmoor village of Haytor, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed today. A 26-year-old white British man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
A Life Away from Westminster
Widdecombe traded London for the remote Dartmoor countryside in 2010, purchasing the property in 2008. She described the move as a deliberate choice to avoid retiring in the capital. In a 2019 interview, she stated: 'I was always determined not to retire in London and instead chose somewhere that had a homely feel, with views and birds in the garden.'
The home, a 1970s chalet-bungalow, overlooks a large garden with a pond surrounded by gnomes. Her sitting room features a bright red carpet. The nearest M&S Simply Food is over five miles away, and Exeter, the closest city, is more than a 40-minute drive.
Embracing the 'Bleakness' of Dartmoor
Widdecombe spoke fondly of the isolation, saying she relished walking across the moors without 'seeing another human being all day.' She explained: 'I chose a five-bedroom 1970s chalet bungalow near Haytor, on Dartmoor. It was a choice between that and the northwest Scottish Highlands, but I felt the Highlands were too remote. Besides, I had always wanted to move to this part of the world. My parents were born in Devon, so I was brought here as a child and we always walked on Dartmoor. I love the bleakness.'
Continued Public Life After Politics
Despite leaving Westminster, Widdecombe remained in the public eye. She appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, Strictly Come Dancing, and starred in pantomime. Until her death, she made fortnightly trips to London to appear on GB News. The fee from Strictly helped fund a heated swimming pool at her home. She said: 'I'd always wanted a heated swimming pool, and I got it by taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. People always ask how many lengths I do, but I don't regard it as a source of exercise. It's a place to relax.'
Investigation Underway
The tranquility of Haytor has been shattered by the murder investigation. A Sky News helicopter hovers over the property, with uniformed officers and broadcast journalists stationed outside. Forensic units are inside, working to uncover the final tragic moments of Widdecombe's life. Police have not released further details about the circumstances of her death or the arrested man.
