A murder investigation into the death of former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe has moved swiftly, with police in the UK saying they “are not looking for anyone else” after arresting a 28-year-old man.
The former Conservative minister — who later served as a spokesperson for Reform UK — was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11.40am on Thursday. Police said she had sustained serious injuries.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said a 28-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of murder in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, shortly after 9pm yesterday evening.
Speaking to reporters this morning, Longman said: “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.
“We remain open-minded about the potential motive,” he added, while stressing investigators do not believe there is any threat to the wider public.
Alison Hernandez, the police and crime commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said in a statement that it has been a “very unsettling time” for people living nearby.
“I hope people will feel reassured there has been major progress in the apprehension of a suspect,” she said.
Widdecombe, 78, first entered Parliament as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, later served as an MEP for the Brexit Party, and went on to act as a spokeswoman for Reform UK.
Beyond Westminster and Brussels, she became a familiar face to millions through appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
She was last seen on air on TalkTV on Wednesday morning — the day before she was found dead — and was also scheduled to appear on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show on Wednesday afternoon. However, she did not take part, as first reported by ITV.
ITV said Widdecombe had exchanged messages with a researcher from the programme but failed to respond when the team tried to reach her to join a Zoom call from home.
Calls and texts sent after the show aired went unanswered, ITV reported, prompting the Channel 5 team to follow up with her agent later on Wednesday and again on Thursday.
