Ann Widdecombe murder probe: Man, 28, arrested on suspicion of politician's murder

Ann Widdecombe murder probe: Man, 28, arrested on suspicion of politician's murder 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", a man has now been arrested Police investigating the death of Ann Widdecombe have confirmed a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Devon and Cornwall Police revealed she was killed at 12.30pm on Wednesday in the remote house where she lived alone with her cat on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Widdecombe lay dead for nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered. A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson has now confirmed a 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of her murder. They said: "We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area this evening [11 July] on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. "The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody. Miss Widdecombe’s family have been informed of this development. "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." Key Events On the WiddyWeb, the name she used for her personal website, a quote now stands amongst a tribute. As Ann once said on The Graham Norton Show, “We get one go this side of eternity, one go. Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it, that’s my philosophy.” Her management company went on to write: "A consummate professional and a delight to work with, indefatigable to the last, we know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way and our sympathies go to them and her family." A man has been arrested in the South Yorkshire area yesterday evening on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. What we know about the suspect: The suspect has not been formally identified by police but the force has confirmed he is a white British national who is 28-years-old. He 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.” Reform UK MPs are being placed under round-the-clock security protection as police press ahead with their murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe. Read the full story here. Late yesterday evening Devon and Cornwall Police issued an update on the investigation. They said: "We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area this evening [11 July] on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. "The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody. "Miss Widdecombe’s family have been informed of this development. "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 [12 July]." A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson has confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. They confirmed he is 28-years-old and was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area this evening. For the full story click here. Strictly judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood have reportedly asked for a tribute honouring late contestant Widdecombe, and showrunners are said to have accepted. A source told The Sun: “Ann is a Strictly legend. Craig and Anton were keen to flag the idea to producers who agreed viewers would love to revisit Ann’s special moments. Bosses are likely to air a montage.” We heard earlier a touching tribute from Buckfast Abbey in Devon, Widdecombe's church, in which she was remembered as a "kind and warm" woman. The Times reports that the abbey today also held a special Mass for the respose of her soul after death. ITV has released the haunting final exchange between Ann Widdecombe and a producer for the network, capturing the moment she was asked: "Is everything ok?" The transcript is as follows: Researcher: Not yet. Looked a few seconds ago! (12:14) Researcher: Hi they said they sent it to you, but maybe it’s to the wrong email address (12:15) Anne Widdecombe: We spoke. Sorry for the confusion. I can see now that what I refused today was extra time!! Old age is a terrible thing. (12:15) Researcher: Would you mind sending me the address you’d like to receive it from (12:15) Anne Widdecombe: We spoke. Sorry for the confusion. I can see now that what I refused today was extra time!! Old age is a terrible thing. Researcher: Haha no problem! (12:16) Anne Widdecombe: It is the usual one that you always use. [email address blurred] (12:16) Researcher: That’s strange they did send it t[o] that address (12:17) Researcher: At 9:20 this morning (12:17) Researcher: I’ll send it to you now (12:17) Anne Widdecombe: It is the usual one that you always use [email address blurred] Researcher: Just sent to this address, let me know if you’ve got it (12:18) Anne Widdecombe: Received! Panic over!! (12:19) Researcher: Amazing! Let me know if there’s any issues (12:19) Researcher: Hi Ann could you join the zoom now please (12:48) Voice call — No answer (12:53)Researcher: Hi Ann is everything okay? (12:55) Voice call — No answer (13:05) Voice call — No answer (13:14) Ann Widdecombe's killer is likely to have left key clues that mean he will be brought to justice, a retired detective has said. Former Met Det Chief Insp David McKelvey said it was "just a question of time" before the murderer was identified and tracked down. Police believe former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe was attacked in her home nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered and said they are hunting for a white male suspect. The ex-Tory prisons minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at around 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries. Devon and Cornwall Police said on Saturday it is believed Miss Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday at around 12.30pm. With police having released a new update this afternoon saying they won't be releasing any additional information, here's an updated timeline of everything we know so far: Wednesday, July 8 8am Ms Widdecombe was last seen publicly, interviewed on Talk TV. 12.19pm She messages a researcher on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show in preparation for being a guest, via video call from her home, at 1pm. 12.48pm She fails to respond to a message from the researcher. 12.50-2pm The Matt Allwright show goes ahead and Ms Widdecombe fails to appear. Evening At an unspecified time it is understood ITN contacted her agent to raise concerns. Thursday, July 9 11.40am Ms Widdecombe found dead in kitchen with severe injuries. Friday, July 10 7am Her death is announced but no mention is made of her murder. 3.50pm Devon and Cornwall Police confirm reports a murder probe was under way. 5.50pm Police say a 26-year-old man held on suspicion of murder. Saturday, July 11 6.35am Police say the man was released and is no longer a suspect. 6pm Police say they won't be releasing additional information about the investigation. Buckfast Abbey, a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery in Devon at which Widdecombe used to attend mass, have shared a tribute the former politician. She was remembered as a “kind and warm character”, with the tribute saying: “Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community of Buckfast were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe in such tragic and disturbing circumstances. “Ann was a frequent worshipper in the Abbey Church, attending our Sunday Solemn Mass and notably attended our Holy Week and Easter services. Many in our worshipping community knew her as a kind and warm character. She will be missed and fondly remembered. “Ann was a woman of profound faith, a faith which found expression in the public forum of politics. Ann was unafraid to express her unwavering convictions, formed through her Roman Catholic faith. She had a sharp intellect and was a dedicated public servant.” We've seen the huge police presence in Haytor at large this weekend, with uniformed officers deployed around Haytor Vale as the investigation into Widdecombe's death continues. But there is also a considerable presence at the former politician's house, which remains cordoned off to the general public while police activvity continues. When he spoke to the media earlier, Farage spoke about his friend from a nearby memorial area, not at her property. Other people have also been placing flowers near the home. Widdecombe "loved" walking through the moors in Haytor, which police are currently looking over as part of their investigation, her former driver said. Peter Horrell said: "She loved walking up on the moors and, as you know, she got a swimming pool at the back. So if she come back late or late-ish she’d always have the brandy and go for a swim. "She was a great lady, very kind. You know, she was absolutely a privilege to take in the car, and she was funny at times." Devon and Cornwall Police ACC Matt Longman has issued an update, confirming that police are not planning to release any further information relating to the investigation. He said: "I want to start with expressing my thanks to the local community and to the people who have come forward so far with their information. "We have been working at pace on this investigation. Officers are making progress and are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry. At this time we have made the active decision not to release further information, including descriptions of any potential suspects or releasing CCTV footage. "Releasing such information prematurely could compromise ongoing enquiries and may prejudice future investigative opportunities. "The decision not to disclose further details at this time is made on an operational basis. We will release information to the public when it is appropriate and necessary, in order to support the investigation. I would ask the public again, please do not to speculate on social media. "If you have any relevant information and have not yet reported, please do so via the major incident public portal. Our thoughts remain with Ann Widdecombe’s family and friends at this sad time. They continue to be supported by specialist officers." Channel 5 presenter Dan Walker has provided an update on the messages between the network and Ann Widdecombe's representatives after she failed to appear on Zoom for an interview. Mirror's Patrick Hill writes in from the scene... Stephen Codner, a member of the planning committee at Ilsington parish council, which covers the Haytor area, said "a lot of people" living alone in the community would be worried. He said: "There’s quite a few elderly people where Ann lived. There will be a lot of people worried, who live on their alone, up there. The most exciting thing that happens around here is fly-tipping. Or somebody nicking a pushbike. It’s silly things. "It’s not a common thing, crime, in the parish. There is never anything I would say is headline news. It’s a shock. It’s not anything anybody expected or anything that has happened before locally." Anton du Beke has been photographed attending a summer event, just hours after sharing his heartbreak over the death of his former Strictly Come Dancing partner Ann Widdecombe. Ann was found dead at her bungalow in Haytor, a village on Dartmoor, Devon on Thursday morning. The former Conservative MP, who later became a Brexit Party MEP and subsequently a Reform UK spokesperson, lived in the property alone. Police have launched an investigation into her death, and arrested and subsequently released one man from custody on suspicion of murder. Anton smiled for the cameras at the Henley Festival in Berkshire, posing for photographers and mingling with fellow guests despite what will no doubt have been an incredibly difficult few days. Dressed smartly for the star-studded evening, Anton appeared relaxed as he made his way into the festival, where a host of celebrities gathered for one of the summer's biggest social events. Read more here We now have a video from the scene capturing Farage's address from Ann Widdecombe's community of Haytor, Devon. Asked for more details about whether abusive emails had been recently directed at the former Conservative MP who died on Thursday, Mr Farage said: “We all get abusive emails in public life. I can tell you that we have not been able to to discern a specific pattern. “I think quite often with these cases, you would see an email from an individual that would come again, and again, and again, and again, and again. “We can’t identify, from our data, any individual. General abuse, yes, it goes with public life, whether in football or politics or music, or whatever it is.” Farage was briefly in Haytor Vale this afternoon to pay his respects to Widdecombe, which he did by placing flowers at a memorial site. The Reform leader, who is gearing up for a by-election in his former Clacton constituency, also touched on his friend's death and her friendship with murdered Tory MP David Amess. He said: "I don’t think it pays at this moment in time to speculate, but what I do think we can say and how extraordinary of course that David Amess was such a very very close friend of Anne’s. “Anne was the godmother to David Amess’ daughter. What it does say is that people now in private life, especially politics, the world is very much more dangerous than it has ever been.” Police believe former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe was attacked in her home nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered and said they are hunting for a white male suspect. The ex-Tory prisons minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at around 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries. Devon and Cornwall Police said on Saturday it is believed Miss Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday at around 12.30pm. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said her death is being treated as suspicious but added: “We do not believe there is a wider risk to the public.” He said: “Our inquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.” A 26-year-old white British man who was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Miss Widdecombe on Friday was released from custody on Saturday. Mirror's Patrick Hill reports from the scene... After laying the wreath on a patch of land opposite the Moorland Hotel, Farage was driven away in a 4x4. He wanted to visit the former MP's home, but his car was stopped at a police road block and he was not allowed to visit the property. Additional photos from the scene show the massive police presence as officers spread through the Haytor Vale community. Officers are on and to either side of roads leading into the tight-knit community, which haven't been shut down by the local police. Officers are poking and prodding at vegetation with sticks as the search continues. Mirror's Patrick Hill reports from the scene... Reform UK have been analysing abusive emails and threats sent to Ms Widdecombe in case there was a link to her killing, Farage said. He added: "We will do anything we can to support the police. For example, I've had our security teams going through all of our emails to pick out ones that were sent that were either directly to Ann or were abusive about Ann. "We're doing everything we can to support the police in every way." Police have been observed exploring hedgerows near Widdecombe's residence in Haytor, with pictures capturing officers also looking in the surrounding moors. Forensics units have also been pictured wearing full cover outside the home as a massive police presence remains in the area. Mirror's Patrick Hill reports from the scene... Farage continued: “Whatever the outcome of the motives of a killer, and let's just hope and pray, this is not a Jill Dando type case where they don't find a person. “I believe with modern technology they will.” Asked for a message to the at-large killer, the Reform leader said: “There are no words that I can utter that somebody who's committed this act of barbarity against an innocent 78-year-old lady who wouldn't harm a fly. “I just hope that the killer is caught as quickly as possible and brought to justice, that's all I can say.” Looking out on the rural area around him, Farage added: “Even though we don’t know what the motive is, in a town there is so much ANPR and CCTV that generally these days people are caught pretty quick, but look around you.” Mirror's Patrick Hill reports from the scene... Speaking at a memorial site where he laid a wreath, Nigel Farage revealed a car had parked on Ms Widdecombe's driveway at 12.25pm on Wednesday - just five minutes before police believed she was murdered. Mr Farage said: "One theory doing the rounds is that it was a burglary gone wrong. But a car went onto the drive at approximately 12.25-12.30 on Wednesday. She had done one interview in the morning... She was due to do another one at 1pm. "So if you were a burglar, would you literally drive your car onto someone's drive?" Ann Widdecombe's former personal driver has spoken about the late politician, saying there was "no mucking about" with the 78-year-old. Peter Horrell told Sky News: "I like her because if you asked her a question, you'd get a direct answer." He added: "She was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. She was a wonderful woman and it's so sad, isn't it?" Nigel Farage has arrived at Ann Widdecombe's home in Devon. He is laying flowers outside the property. We've seen another day of major developments in the investigation of Widdecombe's death, with several key updates from police. Here's everything new so far: - Police believe the attack took place at 12.30pm on Wednesday, July 8, nearly 24 hours before she was found dead at 11.40am the following day - Investigators are still seeking a white male, and enquiries are "moving at pace" - A man who was previously arrested on suspicion of murder has been released from police custody, he is no longer part of the investigtion