A 26-year-old white British man has been arrested on suspicion of homicide on Friday following the death of Ann Widdecombe.
The 78-year-old former MP and MEP was discovered useless at her house in Dartmoor, Devon on Thursday morning after sustaining severe accidents.
Devon and Cornwall Police have stated they’re remaining “open-minded” in regards to the motive for the assault, and that it was too early to touch upon whether or not the suspect was recognized to Miss Widdecombe.
Right here is all the pieces we learn about Ann Widdecombe’s loss of life to this point.
Ann Widdecombe was born in Tub, Somerset, in 1947.
She had an extended political profession serving as Conservative MP for Maidstone, later Maidstone and The Weald, in Kent for 23 years.
Shadow house secretary Ann Widdecombe highlights the asylum disaster on a go to to Calais, France in 2001 (Sean Dempsey/PA)
PA Archive
She was additionally Minister of State for Employment from 1994 to 1995 and Minister of State for Prisons from between 1995 and 1997 underneath John Main.
Following her time in authorities, she discovered fame outdoors politics after showing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Movie star Large Brother in 2018.
Police investigating the homicide of Ann Widdecombe have made an arrest (Ben Birchall/PA)
PA Archive
Miss Widdecombe, a supporter of the UK’s departure from the EU, later turned a Brexit Get together MEP, representing South West England within the European Parliament between 2019 and 2020.
She subsequently turned a Reform UK spokeswoman, becoming a member of the social gathering in 2023, and making a lot of appearances because the social gathering’s immigration and justice spokesperson.
What occurred to her and when?
Devon and Cornwall Police had been known as to Miss Widdecombe’s house in Haytor Vale, a village throughout the Dartmoor Nationwide Park, at round 11.40am on Thursday, the place they discovered her useless with severe accidents.
Her loss of life was introduced on Friday morning.
Police outdoors the home of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor
PA
In an announcement, her administration crew stated: “We all know this information will come as an excellent shock to the numerous colleagues and buddies she made alongside the best way.”
On Friday afternoon, police issued an announcement saying they’d launched a murder investigation in connection to Miss Widdecombe’s loss of life.
Her administration crew then launched an additional assertion, saying they had been “completely devastated” by information of the investigation after a “very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours”.
What do we all know in regards to the suspect?
Police have confirmed {that a} 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of homicide in reference to Miss Widdecombe’s loss of life.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman stated that the suspect was arrested at an deal with in Newton Abbot on Friday.
He added that the suspect stays in police custody whereas inquiries proceed, and {that a} cordon stays in place at her property whereas specialist officers proceed forensic examinations.
ACC Matt Longman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, speaks at a press convention
PA
He additionally stated the case was “not being handled as terrorism” and there was “no data” presently to counsel it was a “politically-motivated crime”.
Mr Longman stated: “That is an especially tragic incident. Our ideas are very a lot with the household and buddies of Miss Widdecombe on this very troublesome time.”
Police outdoors the home of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor
PA
Earlier on Friday, Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson stated: “That is an especially tragic incident and our ideas are very a lot with the household and buddies of Ann Widdecombe at this troublesome time.
“I might attraction to anybody who might have details about this incident, nevertheless insignificant it could appear, to come back ahead and converse with us.”
What has been the response to her loss of life?
A variety of politicians and outstanding figures have made statements following the announcement of Miss Widdecombe’s loss of life.
Sir Keir stated: He stated: “That is actually surprising information, and my ideas, I feel all of our ideas, will probably be with the household and buddies of Ann Widdecombe at this terrible time for them.
“Ann was a distinguished politician over many, a few years with many achievements, and it’s an enormous, enormous loss.
Sir Keir Starmer
PA Wire
He added that he had spoken to Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK chief Nigel Farage, in addition to Andy Burnham, to “urge everyone to come back collectively”.
“Ann Widdecombe was a really enjoyable and feisty lady who spoke her thoughts and he or she was 78 years outdated, she was an aged lady.
“I don’t perceive how somebody might do one thing so horrific to an aged particular person. It was a nasty, horrific assault and my coronary heart is breaking for her household.”
Conservative Get together chief Kemi Badenoch
PA
A spokeswoman for Andy Burnham stated: “Andy’s deepest condolences and ideas are with Ann’s household at the moment, in extremely distressing circumstances.
“Ann gave a lifetime of public service, and it’s completely proper that the police put all their assets into investigating this as swiftly as attainable.”
Anton Du Beke, who was Miss Widdecombe’s dance accomplice when she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, stated he was “devastated” to listen to the information.
Ann Widdecombe discovered fame outdoors politics along with her Strictly Come Dancing exploits
PA Media
“She turned an actual good friend. She was enjoyable. She was upbeat. She was optimistic. She was supportive. We had an unbelievable time collectively and we stayed agency buddies.
“My ideas exit to all of her nearest and dearest and all her household. This can be a unhappy day and I’m devastated by the information of Ann’s passing however I shall bear in mind her fondly, and miss her.”
