Ann Widdecombe found dead after interview defending Nigel Farage

Ann Widdecombe was recorded at 12.10pm on Christian radio station TWR defending Nigel Farage over parliamentary investigations into his finances, about 20 minutes before police believe she was attacked at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor. Devon and Cornwall Police said the 78-year-old former Conservative minister was found dead with serious injuries inside the property after the ambulance service alerted officers the next morning.

The force now believes the attack took place on Wednesday 8 July 2026 at around 12.30pm. Officers were called to the home at about 11.40am on Thursday 9 July, when Widdecombe was discovered dead. The murder enquiry was first led by Devon and Cornwall Police’s Force Major Crime Investigation Team, with a cordon still in place, road closures around the scene and house-to-house and CCTV enquiries continuing.

She was also due to take part in a scheduled TV interview later that afternoon, but failed to appear. Messages with a producer arranging that appearance stopped shortly before police believe the suspected attack happened.

A 26-year-old white British man was arrested in Newton Abbot on Friday 10 July on suspicion of murder. Police later said he had been released from custody and was no longer part of the investigation. Counter Terrorism Policing South East is now leading the case, although Devon and Cornwall Police have said there is no evidence the attack was terrorism-related.

Widdecombe served as a prisons minister before later becoming a Brexit Party and then Reform UK figure. Nigel Farage, Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch were among those who paid tribute after her death.

Police have asked the public not to speculate on social media and have pointed people to a Major Incident Public Portal and to Crimestoppers for information. Specially trained officers are supporting Widdecombe’s family and friends as investigators continue their enquiries into the final minutes before the attack.