Ann Widdecombe murder investigation latest: Male suspect, 26, arrested over death of ex-Tory minister at Devon home

Ann Widdecombe murder investigation latest: Male suspect, 26, arrested over death of ex-Tory minister at Devon home A white British national remains in police custody after he was arrested this afternoon - Bookmark A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe, police have said. The suspect, who is a white British national, was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot this afternoon and remains in police custody. Detectives launched a murder investigation into the 78-year-old’s death after she was found with serious injuries at her home. Her death is not being treated as a terrorist incident, and police do not believe it was politically motivated. Devon and Cornwall police assistant chief constable Matt Longman said the inquiry into the “tragic incident” was in its early stages, but moving at a “significant pace”. His force does not believe there is an ongoing risk to the public and urged anyone with information to come forward. The former Tory minister’s body was discovered after police were called to the home at 11.40am on Thursday. Throughout her political career, Miss Widdecombe was a prominent Eurosceptic and supported the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 Brexit referendum. She became a member of the Brexit Party from 2019 and served as an MEP representing South West England in Brussels between 2019 and 2020 before joining Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in 2023. The Independent's front page today Watch: Kemi Badenoch stunned by 'awful news' of Ann Widdecombe's death 'Conservatism's virgin soldier': An interview with Ann Widdecombe in 1997 Following an interview with Ann Widdecombe in 1997, Deborah Ross wrote: I have bought Ann Widdecombe a big bunch of flowers. Tulips, they are. Pale pink and dark pink ones with some sprigs of Sweet William thrown in. The florist and I declare them divine. As does Miss Widdecombe, initially. "How gorgeous," she whoops with some rapture while making a big thing of burying her nose in them and snorting: "Ahhh, lovely." Well, I say, you've had a pretty tough week. ("Yes, yes, it's been absolute hell.") And, hey, it's not as if you ever got any from Derek Lewis, is it? Thankfully, she laughs, then says "how kind" before tossing them dismissively on to a work surface where I know they will be left to wither and die. There is no sign of a vase about the place. She never glances at them again. Ultimately, I don't think Miss Widdecombe cares much for flowery things. Indeed, had Mr Lewis ever seriously wished to woo her he would have been better off buying her a book about, say, Religion and Society in Kent, 1610 to 1914. Although, when I later inspect her bookcase, I see immediately that she has it already. (It's between Struggle Safely to Heaven and that other lively read, Where Is God In All This?) Now, what are we to make of Miss Widdecombe after recent events? Should we admire her? Personally, I am beginning to think we should, but when I tell her this she comes over all bossy. I mustn't, she says, confuse admiration with delight at seeing the Tories in yet more trouble. She knows, she adds, that "I'm bringing more pleasure to the opposition than I am to my own party. I can see that." Then, perhaps warningly: "I do have a brain." Read more here: Conservatism's virgin soldier Reform MP Lee Anderson shares photo with 'dear Ann' RIP Dear Ann — Lee Anderson MP (@LeeAndersonMP_) July 10, 2026 💔💔 pic.twitter.com/C8sCOaeak6 Ann Widdecombe murder investigation latest: The Independent reports from former MP's home town Widdecombe 'treated everyone with the same dignity' Criminal barrister and television personality Rob Rinder has paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe, saying she “treated everyone with the same dignity whether they could do anything for her or not”. “We often disagreed but privately Ann Widdecombe never confused status with worth. “That was her idea of justice. After such a terrible death, she is owed no less,” he added. Truss: Widdecombe ‘combined courage and conviction with dogged hard work’ I am very shocked to hear of the killing of Ann Widdecombe. — Liz Truss (@trussliz) July 10, 2026 She was an inspirational figure who combined courage and conviction with dogged hard work. It is heartbreaking to read of the incredibly distressing circumstances of her death. https://t.co/QiwU7CZRC7 A look at Ann Widdecombe's political career Ann Widdecombe entered parliament in 1987 as the Conservative MP for Maidstone. Her electoral success came after she failed to win the seat of Burnley in 1979 and Plymouth in 1983. She was well known for her socially conservative views as a junior minister in John Major's 1992-1997 government, and later as an immigration and justice spokesperson for Reform UK. The former Tory was home office secretary from 1995 to 1997, and later became shadow home secretary from 1999 to 2000, and health secretary from 1998 to 1999. She left parliament in 2010, and became a prominent Eurosceptic, supporting the Vote Leave campaign during the 2016 Brexit referendum. Ms Widdecombe was a member of the Brexit Party from 2019 and served as an MEP representing South West England in Brussels between 2019 and 2020. Throughout her political career, she was known for her bluntness and socially conservative views, including opposition to abortion and to equalising the age of consent for homosexual and heterosexual relationships. She also defended a policy of shackling pregnant prisoners during child birth to prevent their escape, and viewed single mothers as poor role models, but was unusual among Tory lawmakers in opposing the hunting of foxes with hounds. Last person to interview Widdecombe says she 'had so much more living to do The last person to interview Ann Widdecombe before her death has said she “had so much more living to do.” Ms Widdecombe joined presenter Mark Dolan on Talk TV on Wednesday in an appearance he describes as “like any other”. The interview aired at around 8am, and she was found dead just over a day later. Mr Dolan told The Sun: “Based on her last appearance you could see she was fit and well, had so much more living to do, and so much more to contribute to public life. “It’s devastating to think that as I signed off that interview and wished her well, it would be the last time we would speak.” Ms Widdecombe had been on the show to discuss Nigel Farage’s resignation as an MP. “She had her usual energy, passion and good humour. She was a conviction politician who did not suffer fools gladly and remained remarkably consistent over a long career,” Mr Dolan said. “Ann was a regular on Talk breakfast. She always went down a storm with our audience and it’s clear that although she was no longer a frontline politician, she lived for political debate, appearing regularly on radio and television, writing a weekly column and campaigning for Reform UK.” Former Sky News presenter slammed for calling Ann Widdecombe ‘spinster’ amid murder probe Political commentator Adam Boulton has come under fire after labelling Ann Widdecombe a “spinster” and an “old maid” amid a murder investigation into the ex-Tory MP’s death. The former Sky News presenter has been urged to apologise for what has been condemned as “awful, twisted” remarks. But Mr Boulton has refused to say sorry, asserting that he “sticks to the facts” as a “reporter who knew her for decades”. He added: “Widders herself never gilded the lily and would expect nothing less.” Speaking on live television after news of the murder probe, Mr Boulton said: “She was very much a spinster, by the end I think you’d probably describe her as an old maid. Reportedly, she claimed that she was a virgin.” Former Tory chancellor and Reform UK member, Nadhim Zahawi, took to X, writing: “I hope Adam apologises and retracts these vile remarks immediately. “Awful, twisted and utterly without decency,” he added. In response, Mr Boulton said: “No thanks. I stick to the facts. You and your ilk should stop trying to exploit the horrific death of a national personality. Police say no evidence of political or terror motive.” Ms Widdecombe had previously described herself as a “toothy, dumpy, and a spinster”. Read more here: