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 lifeless at her house in Dartmoor, Devon on Thursday morning after sustaining critical accidents.
Devon and Cornwall Police have mentioned they’re remaining “open-minded” concerning the motive for the assault, and that it was too early to touch upon whether or not the suspect was identified to Miss Widdecombe.
Right here is every little thing we find out about Ann Widdecombe’s demise to date.
Ann Widdecombe was born in Bathtub, 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)
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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 outdoors politics after showing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celeb Large Brother in 2018.
Police investigating the homicide of Ann Widdecombe have made an arrest (Ben Birchall/PA)
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Miss Widdecombe, a supporter of the UK’s departure from the EU, later turned a Brexit Occasion 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 variety of appearances because the celebration’s immigration and justice spokesperson.
What occurred to her and when?
Devon and Cornwall Police have 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 lifeless with critical accidents.
Her demise was introduced on Friday morning.
Police outdoors the home of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor
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In an announcement, her administration workforce mentioned: “We all know this information will come as an awesome shock to the numerous colleagues and mates she made alongside the best way.”
On Friday afternoon, police issued an announcement saying that they had launched a murder investigation in connection to Miss Widdecombe’s demise.
Her administration workforce then launched an additional assertion, saying they have been “completely devastated” by information of the investigation after a “very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours”.
What do we all know concerning the suspect?
Police have confirmed {that a} 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of homicide in reference to Miss Widdecombe’s demise.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman mentioned 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
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He additionally mentioned the case was “not being handled as terrorism” and there was “no data” at the moment to counsel it was a “politically-motivated crime”.
Mr Longman mentioned: “That is a particularly tragic incident. Our ideas are very a lot with the household and mates of Miss Widdecombe on this very tough time.”
Police outdoors the home of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor
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Earlier on Friday, Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson mentioned: “That is a particularly tragic incident and our ideas are very a lot with the household and mates of Ann Widdecombe at this tough time.
“I’d attraction to anybody who might have details about this incident, nevertheless insignificant it might appear, to come back ahead and converse with us.”
What has been the response to her demise?
Numerous politicians and distinguished figures have made statements following the announcement of Miss Widdecombe’s demise.
Sir Keir mentioned: He mentioned: “That is actually surprising information, and my ideas, I feel all of our ideas, might 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, large 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 all people to come back collectively”.
“Ann Widdecombe was a really enjoyable and feisty lady who spoke her thoughts and she or he 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 Occasion 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 assets into investigating this as swiftly as potential.”
Anton Du Beke, who was Miss Widdecombe’s dance associate when she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, mentioned he was “devastated” to listen to the information.
Ann Widdecombe discovered fame outdoors politics along with her Strictly Come Dancing exploits
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“She turned an actual good friend. She was enjoyable. She was upbeat. She was optimistic. She was supportive. We had an unimaginable time collectively and we stayed agency mates.
“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.”
