British police have launched a major murder investigation following the death of former Conservative MP and government minister Ann Widdecombe, who was found with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, Dartmoor, in southwest England. She was 78. Authorities confirmed that emergency services were called to the property on Thursday morning after receiving a report from the ambulance service. Officers discovered Widdecombe deceased inside the residence, prompting an immediate homicide inquiry.
Devon and Cornwall Police said specialist detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team are leading the investigation. A forensic examination of the property remains underway, while officers are conducting extensive house-to-house inquiries, reviewing CCTV footage and gathering evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding her death. Police have urged members of the public to avoid speculation as the investigation continues.
A 26-year-old British man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody for questioning. Investigators have said there is currently no indication that the incident was politically motivated or linked to terrorism, though inquiries remain at an early stage and the motive has not yet been established.
Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone from 1987 until 2010 and held ministerial positions under former Prime Minister John Major. After leaving the Conservative Party, she joined the Brexit Party, served as a Member of the European Parliament, and later became associated with Reform UK. Beyond politics, she was widely recognized for appearances on television programs including Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
Tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other senior political figures expressing condolences to Widdecombe’s family and praising her decades of public service. Police have appealed to anyone with information that may assist the investigation to come forward as efforts continue to determine the full circumstances surrounding her death.