Man arrested on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe’s murder is released
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Official statement
Outcome reported
- A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe has been released by police.
- Detectives are continuing their investigation into Widdecombe's death, with her body found with serious injuries at her home in Devon.
- Police are appealing for information and have asked the public not to speculate about the incident, which is not believed to be politically or terror-motivated.
Police have released a 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe. The man is no longer part of the investigation, Devon and Cornwall police announced Saturday.
Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman stated that the priority remains identifying those responsible for Widdecombe's death. Detectives are conducting numerous inquiries to examine all available evidence and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Widdecombe's body was discovered with "serious injuries" by the ambulance service at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday.
Detectives continue to carry out numerous enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Longman described the investigation as "moving at a significant pace," with all necessary resources deployed. He appealed to anyone with information, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward. Police have asked the public to refrain from speculating about the incident, particularly on social media, citing potential harm to the investigation and distress to Widdecombe's family and friends. The family has also requested privacy.
We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened.
Earlier, police had sought a white male in connection with the death and confirmed the arrest of a 26-year-old British national in Newton Abbot. Authorities do not believe the killing was politically motivated and have ruled out a terrorist motive after consulting counter-terrorism officers. Widdecombe, a former MP and media personality, lived in a bungalow named Widdecombe's Rest in Dartmoor National Park.
I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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