Ann Widdecombe murder case — What we know so far

Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of former UK MP Ann Widdecombe.

Devon and Cornwall police said the 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home on Dartmoor in Devon on Thursday morning with serious injuries.

One suspect arrested after UK's former's MP murder:

A 26-year-old British national was arrested on Friday afternoon in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe and remains in police custody while inquires continue.

The murder inquiry is in its early stages - police are appealing to the public to share relevant information.

As part of initial enquiries, the case is not being treated as a terrorist incident after consulting with counter-terror policing.

There is no information at current to believe the incident was politically motivated, and officials said it is "too early" to comment on whether or not the suspect was known to Widdecombe.

British politicians pay tribute:

UK's PM Keir Starmer says the murder investigation is "shocking news", while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she is "stunned" over the "horrific" incident.

Former PM Boris Johnson says "we need the facts as fast as we can" in an X post following news of the arrest and murder inquiry.

Linking to his earlier post made before the investigation was made public, where he referred to Widdecombe as a "heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker", Johnson writes: "Sadness at the death of Ann Widdecombe now turning to anger and bewilderment at the news that she seems to have been murdered."

UK's Reform leader Nigel Farage pays tribute to 'remarkable' Widdecombe and said he is 'deeply upset' by nature of death.

He also released a video statement describing Widdecombe, as having been an "extraordinary" and "remarkable, principled woman".

Leader of the Green Party Zack Polanski said, he is "shocked to hear the news about the circumstances of Ann Widdecombe's death".

"My thoughts are with her loved ones at this distressing time," he expressed in a post on X.

Andy Burnham also expressed his deepest condolences and said that his "thoughts are with Ann’s family today, in incredibly distressing circumstances."

Ann Widdecombe:

Ann Widdecombe, formerly a Conservative, joined the Brexit party – which later became Reform UK in 2019.

She turned Reform UK spokeswoman, and served as the MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years.

After leaving Parliament she embarked on a showbiz career, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

Anton Du Beke, Widdecombe's dance partner on Strictly, said her death was the "saddest of news".

Her extraordinary appearances on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010,won her a new and unexpected fanbase.

She had signed up for the programme months after leaving parliament.

Widdecombe was born in Bath, Somerset, in 1947 and went on to study Latin at Birmingham University, then philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University.