Police investigating the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe have arrested a 26-year-old white British man and stated that the death is not being treated as terror-related or politically motivated.
Ms Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her bungalow in Haytor, a village on Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday morning. The former Conservative MP, who later became a Brexit Party MEP and subsequently a Reform UK spokesperson, lived alone in the property. She was reportedly discovered by a carer covered in blood after sustaining at least one serious head wound.
Arrest and Investigation
Detectives arrested the suspect on Friday afternoon in the nearby town of Newton Abbot, around 10 miles from Ms Widdecombe's home. He remains in police custody. Devon and Cornwall Police's Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told a press conference that there was "no information that this is a politically-motivated crime" and confirmed the incident was not being treated as terror-related.
It has not been disclosed whether anything was stolen during the attack, if the killer had broken into the house, or if a weapon was used. Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said the investigation was moving quickly. DCI Rosson stated: "This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time. Our murder inquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace. We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible who we believe to be a white male."
Police Response
Just over two hours after the press conference, the force confirmed they had arrested a suspect. Chief Constable Longman said the inquiry was "in its early stages" but "moving at significant pace". He added: "We are deploying all the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened. I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us."
Police were called to the house in Haytor Vale, a village within the Dartmoor National Park, at about 11:40am on Thursday by the ambulance service. Ms Widdecombe, who lived alone, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
Background
The former MP retired in 2001 and moved into her Devon home, which she called Widdecombe's Rest, in 2008. Asked in 2013 if she was ever afraid of being attacked because she could easily be found, she said: "I am never scared, or lonely. I'm content." She said in the interview: "I've never gone in for the big gates and the electronics and all that nonsense. So, no, I mean, anybody could come in and steal a gnome. I would pick them up on my cameras so if anybody wants to steal a gnome they'd better mask up."
She also said she did get death threats but would ignore them. She said: "I used to get death threats from time to time. We all did, and my staff would say, 'shall we tell the police?' And I'd say, 'put it in the bin, because if the IRA are going to do it, they're not going to tell you in advance, they're just going to do it.' And I still take that attitude. I do know that we're in a slightly different world. I do know that. But I think it's crucial that MPs and their constituents intermingle freely."
