Ann Widdecombe murder latest: Man, 28, arrested in South Yorkshire over death of former Tory minister
Ann Widdecombe murder latest: Man, 28, arrested in South Yorkshire over death of former Tory minister Devon and Cornwall Police said the suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody - Bookmark A 28-year-old man has been arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody, Devon and Cornwall Police have said. The former Tory ministerwas found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries. On Saturday night, in a statement Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area this evening (July 11) on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. “Miss Widdecombe’s family have been informed of this development.” The force said earlier on Saturday it is believed Miss Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday at about 12.30pm. The 78-year-old had been expected to appear on 5 Daytime television show on Wednesday, but had stopped responding to messages and did not turn up for her slot. Also on Saturday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage paid tribute to Miss Widdecombe, a former party spokesperson, as he laid flowers near her home. He told reporters he was “deeply, deeply upset” by her death. Ann Widdecombe’s driver says she never expressed any fear for her safety Ann Widdecombe’s personal driver has spoken of his “absolute shock” at finding out the former MP may have been murdered. Peter Horrell described the ex-Tory prisons minister as a “great lady” who was “very comical” and “down to earth”. Speaking to journalists after placing flowers in front of her house, he said Miss Widdecombe had “never mentioned any fear” for her safety and that she loved living in Haytor. “She seemed quite happy living up here by herself. You never expect it, do you? Well I certainly didn’t. You know, very sad,” he said. Inside Ann Widdecombe’s quiet Dartmoor life – a world away from Westminster politics and celebrity culture Ann Widdecombe moved to Haytor Vale to get away from it all, setting herself up ‘for the rest of my days’. But as an outspoken celebrity politician, she was somewhat of an anomaly in village life, as Jacqui Merrington found out. Read more here: Inside Ann Widdecombe’s quiet Dartmoor life – a world away from Westminster politics Watch: Nigel Farage pays tribute to Ann Widdecombe Man arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe A 28-year-old man has been arrested in the South Yorkshire area this evening on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody, Devon and Cornwall Police have said. Miss Widdecombe’s family have been informed of this development. Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement: “We were supported by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police who carried out the arrest on behalf of Devon & Cornwall Police. At this time, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident and as a force we retain primacy of the investigation. “This is a live and active investigation, and no further information will be issued tonight. We will look to provide further updates tomorrow.” The last messages Widdecombe sent to ITV producer Ann Widdecombe’s last WhatsApp messages show she stopped replying to messages just minutes before police believe she was murdered. Messages shared by ITV News, shows Widdecombe discussing with the producer about details of a TV appearance, where she is asked to join a Zoom call from her home. They appear to be exchanging messages between 12.14pm and 12.19pm on Wednesday. The last message Widdecombe sent at 12.19pm said: “Received! Panic over!!”. But no messages after that were responded to, The Sun has reported. When the producer tried to call her, she then did not answer and a producer then asked if she was okay. But there was still no response. Watch: Moment TV host shows concern after Ann Widdecombe fails to make scheduled appearance Ann Widdecombe’s missing hours revealed that could hold key to finding her killer Ann Widdecombe suddenly stopped responding to messages moments before she was due to appear on air for interview on Wednesday, the day before she was found at her dead at her Dartmoor home. Ms Widdecombe, 78, was set to be a guest on 5 Daytime on Wednesday afternoon but stopped replying to the broadcaster and did not turn up for her slot, according to Channel 5 presenter Dan Walker. “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,” he said in a post on social media. Read more here: Ann Widdecombe’s missing hours revealed that could hold key to finding her killer Watch: Nigel Farage pays tribute to Ann Widdecombe Former Sky News presenter apologises for ‘insensitive’ Ann Widdecombe comments after backlash Political commentator Adam Boulton has apologised for seriously wrong and insensitive” comments he made about Ann Widdecombe amid a murder probe into her death. Mr Boulton initially refused to say sorry after he sparked outrage for labelling the former Tory minister, who was found dead at her Dartmoor home with serious injuries on Thursday morning, a “spinster” and “old maid” on live television. The ex-Sky News presenter, who described himself as a “reporter who knew her for decades”, was called “truly vile” for the comments. Read more here: