Police have arrested a 28-year-old white British man in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on suspicion of murdering former Conservative MP and Brexit MEP Ann Widdecombe. The 78-year-old was found bludgeoned to death in her remote bungalow in Haytor, Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday, July 9. Authorities believe the attack occurred around 12.30pm on Wednesday, July 8.
Final Texts and Missed Appearance
Widdecombe sent her final text at 12.19pm on Wednesday to a Channel 5 researcher, saying “Received! Panic over!” regarding a Zoom link for a scheduled 1.25pm appearance on the Matt Allwright show. The researcher sent messages at 12.48pm but received no response; the WhatsApp messages remained unopened, and calls went unanswered. Widdecombe failed to appear via videolink. On Wednesday evening, producers informed her agent of the lost contact.
Discovery of Body
At 11.40am on Thursday, Widdecombe’s carer found her body, described as “covered in blood,” inside her home. On Friday at 6.30am, her agent shared news of her death, though the cause was initially unclear. By that evening, police suspected murder and at 5.47pm arrested a 26-year-old man, who was later released on Saturday at 6.30am and removed from the investigation.
Suspicious Vehicle and Arrest
On Wednesday at 9am, a local garage manager reported a suspicious VW Golf parked near Widdecombe’s house, noting a man in his late 20s or early 30s in the area. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who laid a tribute on Saturday, claimed a car was seen on Widdecombe’s driveway at approximately 12.25 to 12.30pm, minutes before the suspected time of attack.
Late Saturday, police arrested a 28-year-old in Rotherham, 270 miles from Widdecombe’s home, with counter-terror units supporting the arrest. At 3am Sunday, officers removed a red car from the driveway of the address linked to the suspect. Reports emerged that a man placed a “wooden stick” in a car outside the suspect’s address on the morning of the attack.
Police Statement and Tributes
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.”
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice paid tribute on Sunday, saying: “We have lost an absolute colossus, a legend in all our lifetime. Ann Widdecombe was unique, she was adored by millions, she was treasured by millions… She was a remarkable, remarkable figure.”
