Police believe Ann Widdecombe was attacked 24 hours before body found

Former Conservative minister is believed to have been attacked almost 24 hours before her body was discovered at her home.

Reform spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe speaking during the Reform UK Wiltshire conference at The Civic Trowbridge, in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.Picture date: Sunday February 9, 2025.

Police investigating the death of former British MP Ann Widdecombe believe she was attacked almost 24 hours before her body was discovered and are searching for a white male suspect.

The former Conservative prisons minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, at about 11.40am on Thursday after suffering serious injuries.

Devon and Cornwall Police said investigators believe the attack took place at around 12.30pm on Wednesday.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said the death is being treated as suspicious but stressed there is no wider risk to the public.

He said: “Our inquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.” 

Police outside the house of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor. Picture: Zoe Head-Thomas/PA Wire

A 26-year-old British man arrested on suspicion of murder at an address in Newton Abbot on Friday has since been released from custody.

Mr Longman said detectives were continuing to pursue multiple lines of inquiry.

“Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined,” he said.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.

“In the meantime, I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media. This is not only potentially harmful to our investigation but also deeply distressing for family and friends of Miss Widdecombe.”

Police outside the house of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor. The ex-Tory prisons minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries. Picture: Zoe Head-Thomas/PA Wire

Police have also reiterated that the investigation is not being treated as terrorism and that there is no information at this stage to suggest the killing was politically motivated.

Ms Widdecombe, 78, was first elected as a Conservative MP in 1987 and served as a minister in John Major's government. After leaving Westminster, she became a Member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party between 2019 and 2020 before later serving as Reform UK's immigration and justice spokesperson.

She was also well known outside politics through television appearances, including on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.

Police outside the house of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor. Picture: Zoe Head-Thomas/PA Wire

According to ITV, Ms Widdecombe appeared on TalkTV on Wednesday morning and had been due to appear remotely on a Channel 5 programme later that day, but failed to join the scheduled interview. After attempts to contact her went unanswered, the programme's team contacted her agent.

Tributes have been paid from across the political spectrum, with UK prime minister Keir Starmer calling for unity in the wake of her death, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described it as a "terrible reflection on modern Britain".