POLICE RELEASE MAN ARRESTED OVER ANN WIDDECOMBE MURDER AS INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AND NEW SUSPECT SOUGHT | INFORMING BRITAIN ON CURRENT AFFAIRS

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.