Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative MP, MEP, and Reform UK spokesperson, was found dead at her Dartmoor home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday, with serious head injuries, prompting an active murder investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police.
Widdecombe was last seen communicating with staff on Wednesday, July 8, around 12:19 BST; police believe she was attacked at approximately 12:30 BST that day, roughly 24 hours before her body was discovered by ambulance personnel at 11:40 BST on Thursday.
A 26-year-old British man was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on Friday, July 10, but was released from custody on Saturday morning and is no longer considered a suspect, though police continue to hunt for a male suspect.
Authorities have ruled out terrorism and stated there is currently no information to suggest the crime was politically motivated, though Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speculated it could have been a burglary gone wrong.
Widdecombe served as the MP for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010, holding roles as a Home Office and employment minister in John Major’s government. She later served as an MEP for the Brexit Party (2019–2020) before becoming a key spokesperson for Reform UK.
After leaving Parliament, she gained widespread recognition as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing (2010) and Celebrity Big Brother (2018), maintaining a profile as a staunch socially conservative voice and free speech advocate.
Widdecombe's death has reignited concerns regarding the safety of UK politicians, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urging the public to avoid speculation and allow the investigation to proceed