Ann Widdecombe murder probe: 'Mystery hiker' seen at ex-Tory MP's home in dead of night as man, 26, arrested

Ann Widdecombe murder probe: 'Mystery hiker' seen at ex-Tory MP's home in dead of night as man, 26, arrested Devon and Cornwall Police launched a murder probe after ex-Conservative MP and Brexit Party MEP Ann Widdecombe was found dead inside her home with "serious injuries", with a man arrested on suspicion of murder Police have arrested a 26-year-old white, British man on suspicion of murder, after Ann Widdecombe was found dead inside her Devon home, aged 78. Police said it remained "open-minded" about the investigation, and said it had no information to believe her death was politically-motivated. Ms Widdecombe's agent, confirming the death, said: "It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG. We send our deepest condolences to Ann's family and friends. We ask that the family's wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected." The long-time Tory switched allegiance to the Brexit Party in 2019, and then to Reform UK. She had lived alone in Haytor since retiring as the MP for Maidstone and The Weald in 2010. Key Events Brendan Cox, whose wife Jo Cox was murdered while serving as an MP in 2016, has paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe following her death. Writing for the Mirror, he said her death had brought back memories of losing his wife. He aded: "We obviously don't know and can't speculate on the motivation, rationale and motive for the attack. But what we can say is that there is nothing that could ever justify an attack like this." Mr Cox said he hoped the country would come together following Ann Widdecombe's death, as it did after Jo Cox was murdered in 2016. He wrote that moments like this should bring people together "in shock, in solidarity, and in sympathy". The BBC's political editor said: "You can see it in the facial expressions of our political leaders and hear it in the tenor and tone of their voices. "People across Westminster and beyond are stunned at the news of the murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe. The sadness at the loss of a friend to many, magnified by the horror of what we were to later learn about its horrific circumstances." Ann Widdecombe bought her five-bedroom chalet bungalow after deciding to swap Westminster for a quieter life in Devon. She said it had always been her ambition to retire somewhere in the countryside rather than remain in London. After appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, she revealed her appearance fee helped pay for a heated swimming pool at her Dartmoor home. She joked that she used it to relax rather than swim lengths. Sadly, the village of Haytor, where Ann Widdecombe chose to retire, has become the focus of a major police investigation following her death. The normally quiet Dartmoor community has seen forensic officers and police working throughout the day. Dan Walker has issued a statemnt to "clarify" the Channel 5 update given earlier. He said: "Really sad news about Ann Widdecombe. Horrible to think about what she went through. "To clarify something we said on the programme tonight... "Ann was due to appear on 5 Daytime on Wednesday afternoon but stopped responding to messages and didn't turn up for the show. "The team contacted her agent to ask them to check in on her. "This information has been passed to police as it's part of the investigation." After leaving Westminster, Ann Widdecombe chose to settle in the Dartmoor village of Haytor. She previously said she had always been determined not to retire in London and instead wanted somewhere with "views and birds in the garden". She once described Dartmoor's "bleakness" as one of the reasons she loved living there. She said she enjoyed walking across the moors and sometimes not seeing another person all day, describing it as "very restful". Ann Widdecombe previously revealed she had received death threats during her political career but said she chose not to report them to police. Speaking last October, she said her staff would ask whether officers should be informed, but she would simply tell them to "put it in the bin". Despite receiving death threats during her time in Parliament, Ms Widdecombe said she believed it was "crucial that MPs and their constituents intermingle freely". She said politicians should never become distant from the people they represent. Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said officers remain "open-minded" as the investigation continues and said the force has no information to suggest Ann Widdecombe's death was politically motivated. Ms Widdecombe was due to be a guest on Channel 5’s Matt Alright show on Wednesday afternoon, but did not appear, as first reported by ITV. She had exchanged messages with a researcher from the show, but did not respond when they tried to contact her to join a Zoom call from home. Calls and texts sent after the programme aired remained unanswered, ITV said, and the Channel 5 show’s team followed up with her agent later on Wednesday and on Thursday. Inever knew Ann Widdecombe, but you could tell from afar that she had a mischievous sense of fun and believed things with a passion. She wasn’t someone who changed her views or adapted them for convenience, or to keep up with the times – and, while I disagreed with her on so many things, her passion and sincerity was obvious. So it came as a horrific shock to hear of the news of her death. I think we probably all assumed that Ann’s death was from natural causes. It wouldn’t have occurred to anyone that someone in her twilight years would have been subjected to what sounds like a horrific and senseless attack. Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP for Spen Valley and sister of Jo Cox, who was murdered in 2016 while MP for Batley and Spen, the constituency's previous iteration, has also spoken out after Widdecombe's death. Former PM Rishi Sunak has now released his own statement remembering Widdecombe on X. He hailed the former Tory as a "formidable public servant" in his post on social media, adding that the circumstances of her death were "shocking". A neighbour has claimed they spotted a man dressed in hiking clothes turning up at Ann Widdecombe's house in the middle of the night just hours before her body was found. Speaking to The Sun, the local said they saw a van arrive in the early hours of the morning when Widdecombe died, and also described a white British man at the property in Haytor in hiking clothes arriving in the night. Peter Cornthwaite, 66, a contractor from nearby Smokey Cross, told the publication: “We’ve seen her out about. I’m quite shocked by this, it’s terrible. We never saw security and she didn’t have a secure garden, no gate or anything. There used to be a bobby walking around but that was a while ago, when she was still in Parliament. “It’s quite a usual sight, a police officer round here, so I imagine it was for her. It’s very quiet round here. We leave our doors and windows unlocked, the only crime is the food." Ann Widdecombe's passing came as a shock to the nation this morning, with the 78-year-old former right-wing firebrand having been a constant presence in British political life right up until her death was announced. The additional announcement that police had arrested a man on suspicion of murder several hours later has left even more people confused. Here's a timeline of what's happened today so far, and everything we know after police addressed the public: - 11.40am Thursday, June 9: Officers were called by the ambulance service to Ann Widdecombe's home in Haytor, Devon, where she was sadly found dead - 6.30am Friday, June 10: News of Ann Widdecombe's death came early on Friday morning. There was no indication at the time that she had died from anything other than natural causes. - 7am Friday, June 10: Tributes quickly poured in from across the political spectrum, led by Reform leader and her longtime friend, Nigel Farage. - Friday afternoon: It wasn't until several hours later that reports indicated police had launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Widdecombe's death. - Around 4pm Friday, June 10: Devon and Cornwall Police formally confirmed that investigations had been launched, and announced that a press conference would take place at 4.30pm. - 5.15pm Friday, June 10: After some delay, police deliver the press conference, confirming that a 26-year-old white man was arrested on suspicion of murder in nearby Newton Abbot. - Police confirmed that the investigation is in its early stages, there was no indication the death was terror-related, and that there was no evidence suggesting it was politically-motivated. - 5.30pm Friday, June 10: More tributes pour in from shocked politicians and public figures, many of whom - such as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform leader Nigel Farage - appear visibly shaken. Adam Newton, a former special advisor to Widdecombe, has been speaking following her death. He told Sky News that she was a well-known member of her community in Haytor, Devon, with "everyone" aware she was there. He said: "Basically everybody knew who she was and that she lived in the community. She was one of them." Newton added that his former boss was most comfortable alone, saying: "I think she was resolutely comfortable in her own company and did spend time walking on the moor and enjoying that aspect of her life. Balancing that with things like Strictly Come Dancing, pantomime, travelling to different parts of the world." Rounding out major political leaders following today's shock news, Scottish First Minister and SNP chief John Swinney said he was "very saddened" to hear about Widdecombe's death. He also spoke of the "awful circumstances in which this has happened", and added: "I extend my sympathy to her family, friends and many colleagues." Andrew Rosindell, a Tory MP who defected to Reform, has said his former colleague would "just get on with the job and not worry about her personal safety”. Mr Rosindell told Times Radio “a lot of MPs are targets, but we just put up with it”, adding: "I know that Ann Widdecombe took that view, you know, she would just get on with the job and not worry about her personal safety.” He continued: “I knew her for over 40 years. And to think that she’s gone, I find it very hard to accept. We don’t know the circumstances yet fully, but it sounds like a horrific crime that has been committed. And I mourn her loss and very much grieving.” Ashley James, the broadcaster and former Celebrity Big Brother contestant who appeared on the show alongside Widdecombe in 2018, said in a post on Instagram that she was "absolutely devastated" by her death. She wrote: "Ann Widdecombe and I couldn't have been more different politically. We clashed a lot in the Celebrity Big Brother house, and there are many of her views I fundamentally disagreed with, particularly on LGBTQ+ rights. "I'm very aware that many of her beliefs and where she gave her political vote were deeply harmful to communities and caused real hurt. Her views were deplorable. "But she also had a profound impact on me in an unexpected way. After one particularly explosive row, she called me 'a little bit of a bone picker' and told me I needed to stop being so sensitive. "At the time, I didn't want to hear it. But she encouraged me to care less about pleasing everyone and to have more conviction in my own beliefs. I've spoken openly over the years about how much that advice changed me, because I used to spend so much of my life worrying about what other people thought of me. "I also always believed that disagreement didn't have to mean a lack of humanity. I never stopped trying to meet Ann with kindness, even when we fundamentally disagreed." Former PM Boris Johnson, who, like Mr Burnham, has previously commented on Widdecombe's death on social media, demanded facts "as fast as we can" following news of the murder investigation in a follow-up post. Strictly star, Anton Du Beke, has paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe following the news of her death today. The former Tory MP, 78, was partnered with the ballroom legend on the show back in 2010 when she made it through to week nine thanks to her sheer grit and comedy appeal. A murder investigation has been launched into the death of former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe at her home on Dartmoor, Devon and Cornwall Police said. After Strictly, Anton praised the controversial character, saying he had greatly enjoyed dancing with the former Reform UK spokesperson. After waltzing around the dance floor sporting a pair of knee-length leggings under her frocks, the Celebrity Fit Club star developed a soft spot for the father-of-two, who would go on to become Strictly's judge. Praising Ann today as fans reacted to news of her death, Anton said: "Hi, my loves, the saddest of news we’ve heard today of the passing of the lovely Ann Widdecombe. I had the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing. Piers Morgan has written a tribute to Ann Widdecombe following her death, describing the former MP and Strictly Come Dancing star - who he worked with many times over the years - as an “absolute tour de force”. News broke of the former Conservative MP’s death earlier today, with her management team confirming that she had died at her home in Devon, at the age of 78. Police officers have since arrested a 26-year-old white, British man on suspicion of murder amid an ongoing investigation. Taking to Instagram, Morgan offered his condolences in a lengthy post saying he was “so shocked and saddened” by the loss. He wrote: “What a horrendous way for such a wonderful character’s life to end. Ann was an absolute tour de force - opinionated, combative, fearless, principled, and highly intelligent. Reacting to news of the arrest, the former Manchester mayor wrote on X: "This is terrible news. "Ann Widdecombe brought conviction, wit and personality to public life over many years. My thoughts are with her family and friends." Burnham is set to be Britain's next Prime Minister as the presumptive winner of Labour's ongoing leader nomination process, which will conclude next week. He previously sent his condolences to Widdecombe's loved ones. ‘Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was “deeply, deeply upset” by the nature of Ann Widdecombe’s death. In a message shared on social media, the Reform leader said: “I am deeply, deeply upset by the nature of her death. Our nation is a much, much poorer place without her. Reform UK is certainly a much worse place without her. I was expecting to see her in Clacton over the course of the next few days. Sadly, that is not going to happen. “Rest in peace, Ann. A remarkable, principled woman, and a truly dreadful way to die, and a terrible reflection on modern Britain." Katie Amess, the daughter of Sir David Amess, the Conservative MP who was murdered while holding a surgery in his constituency of Southend West, has issued a statement on Widdecombe's death commemorating the friendship the late politician had with her father. She said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ann Widdecombe. Ann was a loyal and longstanding friend to my father, Sir David Amess, and our family will always be grateful for the kindness, strength and dignity she showed in the most difficult moments of our lives. "Her eulogy for my father at Westminster Cathedral, and the compassion she offered us in the days and months that followed his death, reflected the very best of her character — warm, principled, and unwavering in her support for those she cared about. "Ann’s friendship meant a great deal to my father, and her words brought comfort to so many who loved him. Today, we remember her with affection and respect, and we send our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.” Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party, has become the latest party chief to issue a statement on the death of Ann Widdecombe and subsequent investigation. He has said in a post on X that he was "shocked to hear the news about the circumstances of Ann Widdecombe's death". He added: "My thoughts are with her loved ones at this distressing time." Newton Abbot, where police say they arrested a suspect in relation to the murder of Widdecombe, is a relative stone's throw from her home in Haytor. According to Google Maps, people can drive the roughly 10-mile distance in just under half an hour. Neighbours of Widdecombe have been speaking about her following news of the investigation into her death. Amog them is Susan Coysh, who told the BBC she was "devastated" to hear of the former politician's death. She said she was shocked something could happen "in this lovely setting where we live". She said Widdecombe was "a character and a lovely lady", adding: "I can't see why anybody would want to hurt her... it hasn't sunk in yet actually." A little over 15 years ago, Ann Widdecombe traded the corridors of power for a more tranquil life in the countryside. In 2010 the political firebrand - never one to shy away from life in the public eye - swapped London for the secluded Dartmoor village of Haytor. Intent on a quieter existence overlooking the Dartmoor countryside, she bought a five-bedroom chalet-bungalow tucked away from civilisation. But now the isolated home where she chose to spend her twilight years is at the centre of a murder investigation. Police in Devon today confirmed the 78-year-old former Tory minister turned Reform UK politician and TV star was found dead from "serious injuries" in the sprawling property. A 26-year-old white British man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Today's news conference from Devon and Cornwall was delayed by nearly an hour, and when it finally went ahead, was relatively short. We have learned some critical facts about the investigation into Widdecombe's death, however, including: - Police have arrested a 26-year-old white British man at an address in Newton Abbot - The man, who is now in police custody, was arrested on suspicion of Widdecombe's murder - Police are not treating the incident as terror-related following consultations with counter-terror policing - Police also said there is no information indicating the incident was politically motivated - It is "too early" to comment on whether or not the suspect was known to Widdecombe - The murder inquiry is in its early stages, and police have issued an appeal to the public while also setting up a major incident portal which people can use to submit information that could aid the investigation Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told a press conference that Ann Widdecombe’s death was not being treated as a terrorist incident. Speaking at a press conference, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “A 26-year-old man was arrested in Newton Abbot this afternoon on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. “The suspect, who is a white British national, remains in police custody while inquiries continue.” He continued: “Detectives from the force major crime investigation team have launched a murder investigation, and are conducting extensive inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Ms Widdecombe’s death. “While we work closely with our partners and consulted counter-terrorism policing as part of our initial inquiries, the incident is not being treated as terrorism. “A cordon remains in place at the property, while specialist officers continue forensic examinations. There are road closures in place around the scene, and the public will see significant police activity in the area while detectives and other officers continue house-to-house and CCTV inquiries. “This is an extremely tragic incident. Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Miss Widdicombe in this very difficult time.” Devon and Cornwall Police have opened a major incident public portal which people can use to submit information that may be useful to the investigation into Widdecombe's death. The portal can be accessed here.