A murder investigation is underway after 78-year-old former British MP Ann Widdecombe was found dead with serious injuries at her Devon home on July 9, 2026. Police arrested a 26-year-old white British man in Newton Abbot on suspicion of murder. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman stated the attack is not being treated as terror-related or politically motivated. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Reform UK's Nigel Farage, expressed deep shock and paid tribute to her decades of public service.
Ann Widdecombe murder investigation
- ▪Former British Member of Parliament Ann Widdecombe, aged 78, was found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, Devon, on July 9, 2026
- ▪Devon and Cornwall Police launched a murder investigation after the ambulance service discovered Ann Widdecombe's body at approximately 11:40 AM on July 9, 2026
Suspect arrest in Newton Abbot
- ▪Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman stated that police do not believe the killing of Ann Widdecombe was politically motivated or related to terrorism
- ▪A 26-year-old white British national was arrested on July 10, 2026, at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe
Police response to incident
- ▪DCI Ilona Rosson appealed to the public for any CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage from the vicinity of Haytor Vale to assist with the murder investigation
- ▪Devon and Cornwall Police established a cordon around Ann Widdecombe's property, Widdecombe's Rest, to conduct forensic examinations, house-to-house inquiries, and CCTV reviews
Political reactions to death
- ▪Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed shock at the news, calling Ann Widdecombe a distinguished politician and urging people to rise above political differences
- ▪Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey expressed horror and distress over the suspected murder of Ann Widdecombe
Widdecombe's career in politics
- ▪Ann Widdecombe served as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010 and held the role of prisons minister
- ▪Ann Widdecombe served as a Brexit Party MEP from 2019 to 2020 and later became a prominent spokesperson for Reform UK
Tributes from colleagues
- ▪Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe, describing her as a heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker
- ▪Reform UK leader Nigel Farage paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe, calling her an absolute force of nature and an incredibly loyal ally
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