Ann Widdecombe was found dead inside her Dartmoor home yesterday (July 9), with police revealing today that the death was being treated as suspicious and that they were searching for one suspect
A 26-year-old British man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the former MP Ann Widdecombe was found dead inside her home on Dartmoor having “sustained serious injuries”. The 78-year-old ex-Tory minister died late on Thursday.
But reports emerged throughout Friday that the death was being treated as suspicious and cops later confirmed they had launched murder probe. Police said they are looking for a suspect they described as a “white male”.
Widdecombe was reportedly found by her carer badly bloodied having suffered a blow to the head. Here is everything we know so far about the tragic and shocking news.
What have police said?
Devon and Cornwall Police say that their officers were called to an address in Haytor in Dartmoor by the ambulance service at around 11.40am on Thursday, July 9 .
In a statement, they said: “Sadly, 78-year-old Miss Widdecombe was located deceased within the property. She had sustained serious injuries.” Police confirmed that her next of kin have been informed and that they are being fully supported by specially trained officers.
Detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team say they have launched a murder investigation, adding that they are “conducting extensive enquiries into the circumstances surrounding Miss Widdecombe’s death”..
A police cordon remains in place around the property while specialist officers carry out forensic examinations, while several roads are closed in and around the area.
The force said the public should expect to see “a significant police presence” in the area while detectives carry out house-to-house inquiries and examine CCTV footage.
At press conference this afternoon, Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said the death of Miss Widdecombe is not being treated as terror-related. Police confirmed the man is British.
What has her management team said?
Ann Widdecombe’s management initially announced on Thursday that she had died aged 78. The statement said: “We know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way.”
No details were given about when, where or how she had died in that initial statement.
However, following confirmation that police had opened a murder investigation, her representatives at Cloud9 Management released a second statement saying they were “absolutely devastated” by the development.
The statement said it followed “a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours”, adding: “We fully support the police in their investigations and we reiterate the family’s desire not to be contacted at this difficult time. We implore anyone who may have relevant information to contact Devon and Cornwall Police.”
How have political leaders and friends reacted?
Shocked and heartfelt messages have poured in following the news of Ann Widdecombe’s death and the fact police are treating as suspicious.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the situation as “shocking”, adding that “all out thoughts are with family and friends of Ann Widdecombe.
He said: “Ann was a distinguished politician with many achievements. This is a moment where we should rise above. political differences”, before adding that the public’s focus should be on assisting the police in identifying and arresting the ‘clearly dangerous’ suspect.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was “stunned” by the “awful news” and sent condolences to “Nigel Farage and to everyone in Reform”.
Badenoch said: “I’ve been stunned to hear this awful news. To be honest, I’ve really struggled to find the words. Ann Widdecombe was a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind.
“She was 78 years old. She was an elderly woman. I don’t understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person.
“It was a nasty, horrific attack. My heart is breaking for her family. It is one thing when someone dies but to know they have been murdered in this horrible way is just awful. The Conservative Party is reeling.
“I want to convey my condolences to Nigel Farage and to everyone in Reform on behalf of the Conservatives because we’ve both lost a friend.”
Nigel Farage has not yet spoken publicly since the announcement that police were treating the death as suspicious, but did write the following on X yesterday:
“When Ann Widdecombe decided to stand for The Brexit Party in the snap 2019 European Elections, it was a big moment and huge boost. The voters loved her. She played a decisive role in getting Brexit over the line and will be missed by us all.”
Who was Ann Widdecombe?
Ann Widdecombe was one of Britain’s best-known politicians before later becoming a regular television personality and political commentator. Born in Bath in 1947, she studied Latin before doing Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford.
She served as Conservative MP for the constituency of Maidstone over a period of 23 years and was a Home Office and Employment minister under John Major between 1994 and 1997.
A prominent and proud Eurosceptic, she later left the Conservatives and became a Member of European Parliament for the Brexit Party representing South West England between 2019 and 2020.
She joined Nigel Farage’s Reform Party in 2023 as its immigration and justice spokesperson.
Outside the world of politics, Widdecombe would go on to become a regular television face, famously competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother eight years later.
Anton Du Beke has paid tribute to his former dance partner following news of her death, describing it as the “saddest of news”. The professional dancer said the pair had become close friends during their time together.
In a video posted on X, he said: “I had the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing, she became a real friend, she was fun, she was upbeat, she was positive, she was supportive, she was game, wanted to enter into the spirit of the whole thing.”
Her final public words
The day before she was found dead, Widdecombe had appeared on TalkTV to chat about Reform UK and Nigel Farage’s decision to trigger a by-election in Clacton.
She said: “This is a very decisive man,” adding he is “taking matters into his own hands.”
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