Man Arrested on Suspicion of Murder After Death of Former MP Ann Widdecombe

A 26-year-old man is in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of former Member of Parliament Ann Widdecombe. The 78-year-old politician was found deceased with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday.

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no information to believe that that is a politically motivated crime

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the arrest, which occurred at an address in Newton Abbot on Friday. The force stated that the incident is not being treated as terrorism, although counter-terror policing was involved in initial inquiries. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman indicated that there is currently no information to suggest the crime was politically motivated, and it is too early to determine if the suspect knew Widdecombe.

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too early to comment on whether or not the suspect was known to Widdecombe

Widdecombe, a prominent figure in British politics for decades, served as the MP for Maidstone from 1997 to 2010. She held positions as a Home Office minister and an employment minister under Prime Minister John Major. After leaving Parliament, she pursued a career in entertainment, appearing on shows like "Strictly Come Dancing" and "Celebrity Big Brother."

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really shocking

She was a staunch supporter of Brexit and later became an MEP for the Brexit Party. In 2023, she joined Reform UK, serving as the party's spokesperson for immigration and justice. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir Starmer, and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, expressed shock and sadness at the news of her death.

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stunned to hear this awful news