Ann Widdecombe murder probe: what we know so far
ByTom McArthur
- Published
23 minutes ago
- Published
Devon and Cornwall Police say the 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home on Dartmoor in Devon on Thursday morning with serious injuries.
Here is everything we know - and don't know - about the probe so far:
What has happened?
Police say Widdecombe was found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, a village on Dartmoor, on Thursday morning when officers were called by the ambulance service.Widdecombe's death was announced on Friday morning by her management team, but there was no information about when, how or where she died, and no detail on any suspicious circumstances.
The statement said in part: "We know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way."
Later on Friday afternoon, police issued a statement saying they had launched a murder investigation and released details of a suspect.
Widdecombe's management team then released another statement, saying they were "absolutely devastated" by news of the police investigation "following a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours".
Who is the suspect?
Officers are looking for a suspect, who they believe to be a white male, in connection with the case, which they say is "moving at a significant pace".In a statement they said they would like to hear from "anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the vicinity of Haytor Vale, Haytor, or anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage which could assist with our investigation".
Extra uniformed officers will be in the area to help with enquires and to reassure residents, they added.
Det Ch Insp Ilona Rosson said: "This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time
"I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us."
Who was Ann Widdecombe?
Widdecombe was born in Bath, Somerset, in 1947 and went on to study Latin at Birmingham University, then philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University.Her political career spanned decades - she served as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and worked as a Home Office and employment minister in John Major's government between 1994 to 1997.
After leaving Parliament she embarked on a showbiz career, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.
A staunch supporter of the UK's departure from the EU, she became an MEP for the Brexit Party, representing South West England in the European Parliament between 2019-2020.
In 2023, Widdecombe joined Nigel Farage's Reform UK, after the party changed its name from the Brexit Party, and made a number of appearances as the party's immigration and justice spokesperson.
