UK police arrest 28-year-old suspect in murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe
Devon and Cornwall Police arrested a 28-year-old man in South Yorkshire on suspicion of murdering former politician Ann Widdecombe, whose body was found in a rural home in Devon.
British police arrested a 28-year-old man on Saturday in South Yorkshire on suspicion of murdering former MP and reality-TV participant Ann Widdecombe, authorities said. The arrest came more than 200 miles from the village of Haytor on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, where Widdecombe, 78, was found dead on Thursday with serious injuries.
Detectives, who have been working at a "significant pace," said there is no public safety risk and that counter-terrorism officers assisted in the operation, but they have no indication the case is terrorism-related. Earlier, a 26-year-old man arrested near the scene was released from investigation.
Police believe the attack occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday after Widdecombe failed to appear for a scheduled television interview. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Political figures responded to the death. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the news as "really shocking," while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she struggled to find words and called the incident "a nasty, horrific attack." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said a review of party emails found no evidence of targeted abuse toward Widdecombe.
Widdecombe served as a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010, held ministerial posts, and later appeared on shows such as "Strictly Come Dancing" and "Celebrity Big Brother." She later joined the Brexit Party and, most recently, Reform UK.