Police have issued a major update in the murder investigation of former MP Ann Widdecombe, revealing that a man was seen putting a 'wooden stick' into a car linked to the suspect on the morning of the attack. The 78-year-old was found dead at her home in Haytor, Dartmoor, at around 11:40am on Thursday, July 9, 2026, after sustaining serious injuries.
Details of the Suspect's Movements
CCTV footage obtained by The Telegraph shows a man leaving an address linked to the suspect at around 7am on Wednesday, July 8, the day Widdecombe is believed to have been attacked. The man placed 'some kind of wooden stick' into the passenger side of a red car before driving off. Police have confirmed they are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with her death.
Devon and Cornwall Police arrested a 28-year-old white British man on suspicion of murder in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday evening. The arrest came after a substantial police presence at a house on Byrley Road in the Kimberworth Park area of Rotherham, over 200 miles from Widdecombe's Devon home.
Police Activity in Rotherham
Neighbours reported that police arrived at the terraced property just before the England World Cup match on Saturday night. Officers removed a red car from the driveway at around 3am. On Sunday evening, a South Yorkshire Police Tactical Support Group van and at least two other marked vehicles were present, with forensics officers in white overalls entering and exiting the property.
One neighbour said: 'It all happened just before the match. When we came home from watching it there were just two plain police cars there but everyone says there were loads more here before that.'
Investigation Update
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman of Devon and Cornwall Police stated: 'At this point, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident and at this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this murder. At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it was politically motivated.'
He added that detectives remain open-minded about the potential motive and stressed there is no believed threat to the wider public. Longman urged the public not to engage with online speculation, calling it 'unhelpful' and 'distressing to the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe'.
Background on Ann Widdecombe
Widdecombe, who was 78, was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987 and later served as an MEP for the Brexit Party and a spokeswoman for Reform UK. She also gained fame outside politics through appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
Chief Constable James Vaughan of Devon and Cornwall Police described the force's response as 'extraordinary' to a 'horrific murder of a very prominent public figure'. He noted that the operation has been running at a 'lightning pace for 48 hours' and expressed satisfaction that a suspect is in custody, calling it 'British policing at its very best'.
