UK police arrest man suspected of murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe

A 26-year-old man is in custody on suspicion of murdering Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative lawmaker and prominent Brexit campaigner. Police found the 78-year-old dead at her home in southwest England on Thursday with serious injuries.

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This is really shocking news. Ann was a distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements, and it’s a huge, huge loss.

Devon and Cornwall Police stated the incident is not being treated as terrorism or politically motivated. The suspect remains in custody as forensic examinations continue at Widdecombe's property. Police described the murder inquiry as being in its early stages but moving at a significant pace.

Widdecombe served as a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010 and held junior ministerial roles. She later joined the Brexit Party and Reform UK. She was known for her socially conservative views and defended policies such as shackling pregnant prisoners during childbirth.

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Our murder enquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the news "really shocking" and described Widdecombe as a "distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements." Her death follows the murders of two other British MPs in the last decade: Jo Cox in 2016 and David Amess in 2021.

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We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible who we believe to be a white male.