Police rule out political motive in Ann Widdecombe murder investigation
Police said Ann Widdecombe’s killing was not politically motivated and they were not looking for anyone else after a 28-year-old man’s arrest.
Ann Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, after the ambulance service called police to the address at about 11.40am on Thursday 9 July 2026. Officers believe she was attacked nearly 24 hours earlier, around midday on Wednesday 8 July 2026, before her body was discovered. Devon and Cornwall Police are not looking for anyone else over her death and see nothing to suggest the killing was politically motivated. They are keeping an open mind, but are not pursuing a political or terror motive at this stage.
A 28-year-old man was arrested in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday 11 July 2026 on suspicion of murder. An earlier 26-year-old suspect arrested during the investigation was later released and is no longer part of the inquiry. Devon and Cornwall Police had received more than 120 information reports and warned against “unhelpful” speculation while inquiries continued.
Widdecombe had been a Conservative MP and minister before becoming a prominent Reform UK campaigner. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said the party would provide round-the-clock security to its MPs after her death. The Archbishop of Canterbury said he was deeply shocked and saddened.
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