A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of homicide following the death of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe.
Miss Widdecombe was discovered useless at her dwelling on Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday morning after struggling critical head accidents – however police imagine that she was attacked practically 24 hours earlier than her physique was found.
Devon and Cornwall Police beforehand mentioned the case of her loss of life is “not being handled as terrorism” and there may be “no info” presently to recommend it was a “politically-motivated crime”.
Right here is every thing we find out about Ann Widdecombe’s loss of life thus far.
Ann Widdecombe was born in Bathtub, Somerset, in 1947.
She had a protracted political profession serving as Conservative MP for Maidstone, later Maidstone and The Weald, in Kent for 23 years.
Shadow dwelling 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 beneath John Main.
Following her time in authorities, she discovered fame outdoors politics after showing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Superstar Massive 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 Social gathering 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 celebration in 2023, and making a lot of appearances because the celebration’s immigration and justice spokesperson.
What occurred to her and when?
Devon and Cornwall Police had been referred to as to Miss Widdecombe’s dwelling in Haytor Vale, a village inside the Dartmoor Nationwide Park, at round 11.40am on Thursday, the place they discovered her useless with critical 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 workforce mentioned: “We all know this information will come as a terrific shock to the various colleagues and associates 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 workforce 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 concerning the suspect?
A 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of homicide in reference to Miss Widdecombe’s loss of life – nevertheless he was launched from custody on Saturday and is now not beneath investigation.
On Saturday, a 28-year-old white British nationwide was arrested on suspicion of Miss Widdecombe’s homicide round 270 miles away from the crime scene in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
Counter-terrorism officers from North East and South Yorkshire Police assisted with the arrest – nevertheless there isn’t any suggestion the incident is terrorism-related.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman has mentioned that officers will not be at the moment on the lookout for anybody else in relation to Miss Widdecombe’s loss of life.
ACC Matt Longman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, speaks at a press convention
PA
Whereas Miss Widdecombe’s physique was found on Thursday morning, police imagine that she died round 12.30pm on Wednesday afternoon.
She was to look on due on Channel 5‘s Matt Allwright present at 1pm to reply questions on celebration chief Nigel Farage‘s Clacton-on-Sea by-election and the inquiry into his funds.
Police outdoors the home of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor
PA
Textual content messages launched to the general public present Miss Widdecombe’s speaking to one of many present’s producers, along with her ultimate message being despatched at 12.19pm.
She didn’t reply to a Zoom hyperlink despatched at 12.48pm, and didn’t reply additional calls and messages from the manufacturing workers.
There have been quite a few reviews a few “thriller automotive” seen close to Miss Widdecombe’s home across the time of the assault.
Reform UK chief Nigel Farage advised media that he had been advised a automotive was seen on her driveway at roughly 12.25 to 12.30pm on Wednesday.
The supervisor of a storage in Haytor alerted police at round 9am on Wednesday after his colleague noticed a darkish VW Golf Mk4 parked in a “unusual place” close to Miss Widdecombe’s dwelling.
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson, dwelling affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf, and deputy chief Richard Tice pay their respects close to the house of Ann Widdecombe
PA
He mentioned: “[The Golf] was on the high of the lane close to Ann’s place. If it was a neighborhood they might have parked within the automotive park or one of many lay–bys.
“He was doing up his strolling boots. He was in his late 20s, possibly early 30s. He was carrying shorts and a T-shirt. I bear in mind pondering, “Why is he parked there?” He was midway out the lay-by.
“It did not appear to be he fitted in. You do not see many late 20s, early 30s males round right here. He was heading up in that path [of Ann’s house].”
Police haven’t confirmed any additional particulars relating to the automotive or suspect.
The Solar launched CCTV footage that they declare is of the suspect for Miss Widdecombe’s homicide getting right into a automotive with an object that seems to be a wood stick in his shorts pocket.
The footage seems to have been recorded shortly earlier than 8am on Wednesday – 4 and a half hours and 267 miles away from the scene of the assault.
Police exercise in Rotherham (Dave Higgens/PA)
PA Wire
The Solar have additionally obtained CCTV that they declare reveals police arriving to arrest the person simply earlier than 10pm on Saturday.
Officers in balaclavas stormed the terraced property and arrested the suspect and not using a wrestle.
What has been the response to her loss of life?
Numerous politicians and distinguished figures have made statements following the announcement of Miss Widdecombe’s loss of life.
Sir Keir mentioned: He mentioned: “That is actually stunning information, and my ideas, I feel all of our ideas, can be with the household and associates 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 return collectively”.
“Ann Widdecombe was a really enjoyable and feisty lady who spoke her thoughts and he or she was 78 years previous, she was an aged lady.
“I don’t perceive how somebody might do one thing so horrific to an aged individual. It was a nasty, horrific assault and my coronary heart is breaking for her household.”
Conservative Social gathering chief Kemi Badenoch
PA
A spokeswoman for Andy Burnham mentioned: “Andy’s deepest condolences and ideas are with Ann’s household immediately, in extremely distressing circumstances.
“Ann gave a lifetime of public service, and it’s completely proper that the police put all their sources into investigating this as swiftly as doable.”
Anton Du Beke, who was Miss Widdecombe’s dance accomplice when she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, mentioned he was “devastated” to listen to the information.
“She turned an actual pal. She was enjoyable. She was upbeat. She was optimistic. She was supportive. We had an unimaginable time collectively and we stayed agency associates.
“My ideas exit to all of her nearest and dearest and all her household. It is 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.”
Ann Widdecombe discovered fame outdoors politics along with her Strictly Come Dancing exploits
PA Media
Alison and Simon Gilbert, who’ve lived in in Haytor Vale for greater than a decade, mentioned Ann Widdecombe was a widely known determine regionally.
Mrs Gilbert mentioned: “She was a pleasant lady, very nice lady, and he or she had a terrific sense of humour.
“It’s a stunning space – you speak to strangers.
“Everybody noticed her as fairly an opinionated politician, however to us she was only a individual in the neighborhood.
“Initially, we received again and noticed police and thought possibly it was a housebreaking, a variety of us suspected she had a coronary heart assault or one thing.”
“She didn’t should die like that,” Mr Gilbert added.
One lady dwelling in Haytor Vale, who didn’t want to be named, mentioned: “I by no means met (Ann Widdecombe) though I’ve lived right here all my life.
“It’s tragic, somebody offers all their life to public service after which they finish like that.
“(Haytor) is a protected space. Each couple of years or so, any person goes across the backyard sheds and nicks all of the costly gardening gear. That’s so far as it goes actually.
“We’ve by no means had something shut (to this) in all my years.”
