Who is Ann Widdecombe? Family of ‘gentle giant’ murder suspect left in total shock

Counter-terror police are spearheading the inquiry into the suspected murder of Ann Widdecombe. 

The former Tory minister and Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home on Dartmoor, Devon having suffered serious head injuries, but police believe that she was attacked nearly 24 hours before she was discovered.

According to reports, a 28-year-old white British man has been arrested 270 miles away in Rotherham.

Ann Widdecombe professional career

Ann Widdecombe was born in Bath, Somerset in 1947, and had a long political career serving as Conservative MP for Maidstone. She achieved prominence outside politics after appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

She became a supporter of the UK’s departure from the EU, after becoming a Brexit Party MEP. For those unversed, she also represents Southwest England in the European Parliament between 2019 and 2020.

In a statement on Monday, Counter Terrorism Policing Southeast said, “A 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday 11 July.”

“New information and evidence have come to light during what has been a dynamic and complex investigation and as a result, Counter Terrorism Policing Southeast (CTPSE) is now leading the investigation.”

Her management team issued an additional statement saying they were absolutely devastated by the news of the investigation after a distressing 24 hours.

Devon and Cornwall Police originally stated that there was no reason to believe that the death was politically motivated or linked to terrorism. However, detectives are investigating whether the suspect was motivated by far-left politics and planning further violence against other high-profile figures.

According to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the man was not known to the Government’s de-radicalization programme. 

His family has spoken of their sudden shock at his arrest, describing him as a “polite, shy, gentle giant” who had no red flags at all.

The Sun released CCTV footage that it asserts is of the suspect for Widdecombe’s murder getting into a car with an object that appears to be a wooden stick in his shorts pocket. Furthermore, Keir Starmer also said it was devastating news and that his thoughts were with Widdecombe’s family at this painful time.

“This is really shocking news and my thoughts, I think of our thoughts will be with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this awful time for them,” Starmer continued.