A 28-year-old man has been arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of the murder of former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe, police have confirmed. The suspect, a white British national, is currently in police custody.
Discovery of the Body
Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister and later Reform UK spokesperson, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at approximately 11:40 a.m. on Thursday. She had sustained serious injuries.
Arrest and Investigation
In a statement released late on Saturday, Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area this evening (July 11) on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody. Miss Widdecombe’s family have been informed of this development.”
The arrest was carried out with support from Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police on behalf of Devon and Cornwall Police. However, the force emphasised that there is currently no information to suggest the incident is terrorism-related. “As a force we retain primacy of the investigation,” the statement added.
Ongoing Investigation
Police have not released further details about the circumstances of the death or the suspect's connection to Widdecombe. The investigation remains ongoing.
