A murder probe has been launched into the death of former Tory MP and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the incident “really shocking”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has broken his silence on the murder investigation launched into the death of former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe. Starmer called the news “really shocking” and described the potential suspect as “clearly dangerous”.
The ex-Brexit Party MEP and subsequently a Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead having sustained serious injuries, according to Devon and Cornwall Police. A manhunt has been launched for a white male believed to be responsible.
Miss Widdecombe, who appeared on Talk radio on Wednesday, lived in Haytor, near Newton Abbott in Devon, where police were called at 11.40am on Thursday (July 9).
Speaking to reporters at Chequers, Starmer said it was important to “rise above any political differences” and focus on catching Ann Widdecombe’s killer.
He said: “This is really shocking news, and my thoughts, I think all of our thoughts, will be with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this awful time for them.
“Ann was a distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements, and it’s a huge, huge loss.
“I’ve spoken to the chief constable this afternoon about the details and I think this is really important that this is a moment where we rise above any political differences, the political divide and say the single most important thing at the moment is that all of us and the public help the police identify the individual suspected and make sure he’s arrested as quickly as possible.
“He’s clearly dangerous, and I implore everybody who’s got any information in relation to him to help the police with their inquiries, get him into police custody.”
Starmer said the security of politicians “is of the utmost importance” but he would not speculate on any potential motive.
The Prime Minister added: “It’s really important we remain vigilant. I’m not going to speculate about this particular case.
“The chief constable has briefed me on the details as they’re known at the moment, but I think it’s very important for us to have in our thoughts the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe and, to be clear, the single most important thing at the moment is that the suspect is apprehended as quickly as possible by the police.
“And I urge everybody listening or watching this who’s got any information at all which may be of assistance to the police to come forward to make sure that someone who is clearly dangerous is apprehended as quickly as possible, and the police investigation can proceed on that basis.”
Kemi Badenoch said she was “stunned” to hear police had opened a murder inquiry after the death of Miss Widdecombe.
The Conservative leader told reporters: “I’ve been stunned to hear this awful news. To be honest, I’ve really struggled to find the words to say. Ann Widdecombe was a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind and 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 and my heart is breaking for her family. It’s one thing when someone dies, but to know that they’ve been murdered in this horrible way is just awful.
“The Conservative Party is reeling. Ann was a long-standing member of the Conservative Party, she was a Conservative minister, and then she moved to Reform.
“I’m sure they’re just as stunned as we are, and I extend my condolences to Nigel Farage and everyone in Reform on behalf of the Conservative Party, because we’ve both lost a friend.”
Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said: “This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time.
“Our murder inquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace. We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible who we believe to be a white male.”
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