A neighbour of Ann Widdecombe has reported seeing a man dressed in hiking clothes arriving in the early hours of the morning on the day her body was discovered. The former Conservative prisons minister, who later switched to Reform UK, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday with serious injuries.
Neighbour's Account and Arrest
The neighbour, who lives immediately next door to Miss Widdecombe, told The Sun that a van arrived in the early hours and a white British man in hiking gear appeared. Peter Cornthwaite, 66, from nearby Smokey Cross, expressed shock, noting the lack of security: "We never saw security and she didn’t have a secure garden, no gate or anything."
Devon and Cornwall Police arrested a 26-year-old white British man at an address in Newton Abbot on Friday on suspicion of murder. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman confirmed the arrest and stated the case is not being treated as terrorism, with no evidence of a political motive at this stage.
Police Investigation and Motive
Detectives initially believed Miss Widdecombe died from a fall but later opened a murder investigation. Police remain "open-minded" about the motive and it is too early to say whether the suspect was known to her. Forensics experts have been scouring the house.
Assistant Chief Constable Longman said: "This is an extremely tragic incident. Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe in this very difficult time."
Political Reactions
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the death a "terrible reflection on modern Britain." He said: "We don’t know what political motives there are, whether they exist at all. Was it a burglary gone wrong? We just don’t know. And I’m not going to speculate at this stage. I’m pleased the police are doing their job." He added that Britain and Reform UK are much poorer without her.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged people to come together across political divides. He said: "Ann was a distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements, and it’s a huge, huge loss." Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described it as "a nasty, horrific attack."
