No evidence of political motive in murder of former UK minister Widdecombe: Police

Police investigating the suspected murder of former British minister Ann Widdecombe stated on Sunday that there is currently no evidence to suggest a political motive. The 78-year-old was found dead at her home in rural southwest England on Thursday with "serious injuries."

Authorities arrested a 28-year-old white British man in Rotherham, northern England, late Saturday. Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman confirmed that police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the murder and urged the public to avoid speculation. He added that while detectives remain open-minded about the motive, there is nothing at this stage to indicate it was terrorism-related.

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At this point, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident, and at this point, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this murder.

Another suspect, initially arrested on Friday, was released without charge the following day. Widdecombe had a long career in politics, serving as a junior minister in John Major's Conservative government in the 1990s. She left Parliament in 2010 but later became the immigration and justice spokesperson for Reform UK.

The investigation continues as police work to determine the circumstances and motive behind her death. The incident occurs in the context of recent political violence in the UK, with two serving MPs having been murdered in the past decade.

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Detectives remain open-minded about the potential motive. At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it was politically motivated.