The former Tory minister and Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home on Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday morning having suffered severe head accidents – however police imagine that she was attacked almost 24 hours earlier than she was found.
A 28-year-old white British man has been arrested 270 miles away in Rotherham.
In an announcement on Monday, Counter Terrorism Policing South East stated. “A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of homicide on Saturday 11 July.
“New data and proof have come to mild throughout what has been a dynamic and sophisticated investigation and consequently, Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) is now main the investigation.
“The person in custody has since been re-arrested on suspicion of fee, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.”
Right here is the whole lot we find out about Ann Widdecombe’s dying to date.
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)
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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 exterior politics after showing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celeb Large Brother in 2018.
Miss Widdecombe, a supporter of the UK’s departure from the EU, later grew to become a Brexit Celebration MEP, representing South West England within the European Parliament between 2019 and 2020.
She subsequently grew to become a Reform UK spokeswoman, becoming a member of the celebration in 2023, and making various appearances because the celebration’s immigration and justice spokesperson.
Police investigating the homicide of Ann Widdecombe have made an arrest (Ben Birchall/PA)
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What occurred to her and when?
Devon and Cornwall Police have 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 severe accidents.
Her dying was introduced on Friday morning.
Police exterior the home of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor
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In an announcement, her administration group stated: “We all know this information will come as an awesome shock to the various colleagues and mates she made alongside the way in which.”
On Friday afternoon, police issued an announcement saying that they had launched a murder investigation in connection to Miss Widdecombe’s dying.
Her administration group then launched an extra assertion, saying they have been “completely devastated” by information of the investigation after a “very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours”.
Devon and Cornwall Police initially stated there was no purpose to imagine that the dying was politically motivated or related to terrorism.
Nonetheless, counter-terror officers did help the power through the arrest in Yorkshire and on Monday it was introduced they’d be taking up the investigation.
What do we all know in regards to the suspect?
A 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of homicide in reference to Miss Widdecombe’s dying – nevertheless he was launched from custody on Saturday and is now not a part of the investigation.
ACC Matt Longman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, speaks at a press convention
PA
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.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman has stated that officers should not presently searching for anybody else in relation to Miss Widdecombe’s dying.
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 exterior 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 closing 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 employees.
There have been quite a few stories a few “thriller automotive” seen close to Miss Widdecombe’s home across the time of the assault.
Reform UK chief Nigel Farage informed media that he had been informed 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
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He stated: “[The Golf] was on the prime of the lane close to Ann’s place. If it was a neighborhood they’d 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, perhaps early 30s. He was sporting 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 concerning 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)
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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 dying?
Numerous politicians and outstanding figures have made statements following the announcement of Miss Widdecombe’s dying.
Sir Keir stated: He stated: “That is actually surprising information, and my ideas, I believe all of our ideas, will likely be with the household and mates 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, big loss.
Sir Keir Starmer
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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 previous, 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 Celebration chief Kemi Badenoch
PA
A spokeswoman for Andy Burnham stated: “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 assets into investigating this as swiftly as attainable.”
Anton Du Beke, who was Miss Widdecombe’s dance associate when she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, stated he was “devastated” to listen to the information.
“She grew to become an actual pal. She was enjoyable. She was upbeat. She was optimistic. She was supportive. We had an unbelievable time collectively and we stayed agency mates.
“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 exterior politics along with her Strictly Come Dancing exploits
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Alison and Simon Gilbert, who’ve lived in in Haytor Vale for greater than a decade, stated Ann Widdecombe was a widely known determine regionally.
Mrs Gilbert stated: “She was a pleasant lady, very nice lady, and he or she had an awesome sense of humour.
“It’s a beautiful space – you speak to strangers.
“Everybody noticed her as fairly an opinionated politician, however to us she was only a particular person locally.
“Initially, we acquired again and noticed police and thought perhaps it was a housebreaking, a whole lot of us suspected she had a coronary heart assault or one thing.”
“She didn’t need to die like that,” Mr Gilbert added.
One lady residing in Haytor Vale, who didn’t want to be named, stated: “I by no means met (Ann Widdecombe) though I’ve lived right here all my life.
“It’s tragic, somebody provides all their life to public service after which they finish like that.
“(Haytor) is a secure space. Each couple of years or so, someone goes across the backyard sheds and nicks all of the costly gardening tools. That’s so far as it goes actually.
“We’ve by no means had something shut (to this) in all my years.”
