A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe has been released from custody without charge, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed. He is no longer part of the investigation.
Death and Initial Arrest
Miss Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries. The former Conservative prisons minister later became a Brexit Party MEP and a Reform UK spokeswoman. She also gained fame outside politics after appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
On Saturday, police confirmed the man's release, following his arrest on Friday. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined. Detectives continue to carry out numerous enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Investigation Progress
Longman described the investigation as “moving at a significant pace”, adding: “We are deploying all of 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.”
He urged the public not to speculate on social media, stating: “This is not only potentially harmful to our investigation but also deeply distressing for family and friends of Miss Widdecombe. The family have also asked for their privacy to be respected.”
Police have set up a Major Incident Public Portal for information, images or footage. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers.
Political Reactions
Devon and Cornwall Police previously said the case is “not being treated as terrorism” and there is “no information” to suggest it was a “politically-motivated crime”.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called her death a “terrible reflection on modern Britain”. In a video statement, he added: “And I do fear that for anybody in public life, or especially the political space, things have become even more dangerous today.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged people to come together across political divides. He said he had spoken to his likely successor Andy Burnham, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Mr Farage to “urge everybody to come together at a moment like this”.
Conservative leader Mrs Badenoch said she “really struggled to find the words to say” following Miss Widdecombe’s death. “I don’t understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person. It was a nasty, horrific attack and my heart is breaking for her family,” she added.
Background
Miss Widdecombe was a Conservative MP between 1987 and 2010 for the Kent constituency of Maidstone, later Maidstone and the Weald, and held several ministerial positions in Sir John Major’s government. In her post-Commons career, she appeared on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, partnered with Anton du Beke, and survived until the semi-finals thanks to the public vote.
She became a member of Mr Farage’s Brexit Party in 2019 and served as an MEP representing South West England in Brussels between 2019 and 2020. She later became immigration and justice spokeswoman for Reform UK and remained active in the media, appearing on TalkTV on Wednesday, the day before she was found dead.
