Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative Party Member Of Parliament for Maidstone and later Member Of European Parliament, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday.
Devon & Cornwall Police believe she had sustained serious injuries in an attack around midday the previous day, approximately 24 hours earlier. She had been expected to appear on a daytime television programme but stopped responding to messages. Devon & Cornwall Police launched a murder investigation after ambulance staff were called to the property. 
On Saturday evening, a 28-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of murder at an address in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
Police Officers from South Yorkshire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing carried out the arrest on behalf of Devon & Cornwall Police. Reports indicate the suspect drove approximately 300 miles to Ann Widdecombe's address, allegedly carrying a wooden pole or stick used in the attack. CCTV footage is reported to show the man leaving an address in the Rotherham area early on Wednesday morning and placing the item into a red vehicle. 
A 26-year-old white British man had been arrested on Friday in Newton Abbot, Devon, but was released the following day and is no longer part of the investigation.
Devon & Cornwall Police have stated there is nothing to suggest the incident was terrorism-related or politically motivated. Detectives remain open-minded about the motive and have confirmed they are not looking for anyone else. There is no indication of a wider threat to the public. A cordon is in place at the scene and a heightened police presence is expected in the area in the coming weeks. Devon & Cornwall Police have received more than 120 reports via their Major Incident Public Portal and has appealed for further information, including anonymously through CrimeStoppers. Police Officers have warned that speculation about the motive is unhelpful to the investigation, advising against those wishing to discuss on Social Media, and it may cause further distress to Ann Widdecombe's family and friends. 
In response to the death, Reform UK has arranged 24-hour protection for their Members Of Parliament, including Robert Jenrick and Lee Anderson.
Tributes have been paid by political figures across parties.
Anyone with information who can help police with this investigation should contact 101 or CrimeStoppers on 0800555111.
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 Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative Party minister and Reform UK spokesperson, was found dead at her bungalow in the Haytor Vale area of Dartmoor, Devon, on 9 July 2026. The 78-year-old had served as Member Of Parliament for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010, holding junior ministerial positions, and later contested The Conservative Party leadership. After leaving Westminster she was elected as a Member of European Parliament for the Brexit Party in 2019 and subsequently acted as Reform UK spokesperson on immigration and justice. She was also known for television appearances on programmes including Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. Devon and Cornwall Police were called to her property, known locally as Widdecombe's Rest, at approximately 11:40 BST after South Western Ambulance Service attended. Police Officers believe she was attacked at the address around 12:30 BST the previous day, with her body remaining undiscovered for nearly 24 hours.  A murder investigation was opened. On 10 July a 26-year-old white British man was arrested at an address in the Newton Abbot area on suspicion of murder. He was released without charge on 11 July and is no longer part of the investigation. Devon and Cornwall Police have indicated that the death is not being treated as terrorism-related and that there is no indication it was politically motivated. Forensic examinations continue at the property under a police cordon, while officers carry out house-to-house inquiries in the Haytor area. The investigation is described as progressing at a significant pace.  As part of the inquiry, Devon and Cornwall Police are seeking a driver observed behaving suspiciously near Ann Widdecombe's home in the hours before the attack. Senior politicians from Reform UK have been provided with 24-hour protection in connection with the murder investigation. Members of the public who saw anything unusual in Haytor Vale or Haytor on 8 July, or who hold relevant CCTV, dashcam or doorbell camera footage from the vicinity, have been asked to submit it to the force. Information can be provided through the major incident public portal or anonymously via CrimeStoppers.  Devon & Cornwall Police were called to a property in Haytor, Devon, at approximately 11:40 BST on Thursday 09 July 2026 after South Western Ambulance Service attended. Ann Widdecombe, aged 78, was found deceased inside the bungalow with serious injuries. Police Officers believe she was attacked at the property at approximately 12:30 BST the previous day. The former Cabinet Minister for Conservative Party had appeared on TalkTV earlier that morning and sent her final message to a Channel 5 production team at 12:19 BST on Wednesday 08 July while arranging a video interview. A murder investigation was launched by Devon & Cornwall Police on Friday 10 July. A 26-year-old white British National male was arrested later that afternoon at an address in the Newton Abbot area on suspicion of murder. He was released from Police Custody without charge on Saturday 11 July and is no longer part of the "fast paced" investigation. Aligning with standard United Kingdom police practice, relating to murder investigations, the man's identity has not been made public. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman confirmed that the death is not being treated as terrorism-related and that there is no indication it was politically motivated.  The investigation remains active and is progressing at a significant pace. A police cordon is in place at the property while forensic examinations continue. Police Officers are carrying out house-to-house inquiries in the Haytor area and reviewing CCTV and other footage. Investigators have appealed for anyone with information, however insignificant, to submit it via Devon & Cornwall Police's Major Incident Public Portal - or through CrimeStoppers. They have also requested any relevant dashcam, CCTV or doorbell camera footage from properties in the vicinity.  Ann Widdecombe served as Member Of Parliament for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010 when she was part of The Conservative Party, and held junior ministerial roles in Home Office and Department for Employment. After leaving House Of Commons she was elected as a Member Of European Parliament for The Brexit Party in 2019 and later acted as spokesperson on immigration and justice for Reform UK. She was also known for television appearances, including on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.  Devon and Cornwall Police have arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. The arrest took place on 10 July 2026 at an address in Newton Abbot, Devon. The man, who Devon & Corwall Police have described as a white British National, is in Police Custody. Officers from Devon & Corwall Police are continuing to question the individual as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of the former Member Of Parliament at her home in Dartmoor.  Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman gave an update on the arrest during a Press Conference. He stated that the man is being questioned as part of the ongoing murder investigation into the death of the former Member Of Parliament at her home in Haytor Vale, Dartmoor. Ann Widdecombe's murder is not being treated as terror-related. Devon & Cornwall Police are to maintain a significant presence in the area and continue house-to-house inquiries and CCTV appeals.  Devon & Cornwall Police have requested information from anyone who saw anything suspicious in Haytor Vale or Haytor, or who has relevant doorbell, dashcam, or other footage. Additionally, Police are urging anyone who was in the Haytor Vale or surrounding Dartmoor area in the hours leading up to Ann Widdecombe's death to submit any relevant dashcam footage. Residents and properties in the vicinity with CCTV or doorbell camera recordings are also asked to forward the footage to Police Officers. Those with information on this are being encouraged to contact Devon & Cornwall Police on 101, or give details annonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800555111. Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative Member Of Parliament for Maidstone and television personality, died on 09 July 2026 at the age of 78. She was found at her home in Haytor Vale on Dartmoor, Devon. Her representatives confirmed the death today, 10 July 2026.  Widdecombe served as Member of Parliament for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010. During her time in House Of Commons she held junior ministerial positions and contested The Conservative Party leadership in 2001. After leaving Parliament she was elected as a Member Of European Parliament for The Brexit Party in 2019 and later aligned with Reform UK, serving as their spokesperson on immigration and justice.  She appeared on television programmes including Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother. Her political career focused on issues including opposition to abortion and support for Brexit. |
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