A 26-year-old white British man has been arrested on suspicion of homicide on Friday following the death of Ann Widdecombe.
The 78-year-old former MP and MEP was discovered useless at her residence in Dartmoor, Devon on Thursday morning after sustaining severe accidents.
Devon and Cornwall Police have mentioned they’re remaining “open-minded” in regards to the motive for the assault, and that it was too early to touch upon whether or not the suspect was recognized to Miss Widdecombe.
Right here is all the things we find out about Ann Widdecombe’s loss of life up to now.
Ann Widdecombe was born in Bathtub, Somerset, in 1947.
She had a protracted political profession serving as Conservative MP for Maidstone, later Maidstone and The Weald, in Kent for 23 years.
Shadow residence secretary Ann Widdecombe highlights the asylum disaster on a go to to Calais, France in 2001 (Sean Dempsey/PA)
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She was additionally Minister of State for Employment from 1994 to 1995 and Minister of State for Prisons from between 1995 and 1997 underneath John Main.
Following her time in authorities, she discovered fame outdoors politics after showing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Superstar Large Brother in 2018.
Police investigating the homicide of Ann Widdecombe have made an arrest (Ben Birchall/PA)
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Miss Widdecombe, a supporter of the UK’s departure from the EU, later grew to become a Brexit Social gathering MEP, representing South West England within the European Parliament between 2019 and 2020.
She subsequently grew to become a Reform UK spokeswoman, becoming a member of the get together in 2023, and making numerous appearances because the get together’s immigration and justice spokesperson.
What occurred to her and when?
Devon and Cornwall Police had been known as to Miss Widdecombe’s residence in Haytor Vale, a village throughout the Dartmoor Nationwide Park, at round 11.40am on Thursday, the place they discovered her useless with severe accidents.
Her loss of life was introduced on Friday morning.
Police outdoors the home of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor
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In an announcement, her administration crew mentioned: “We all know this information will come as an important shock to the various colleagues and associates she made alongside the best way.”
On Friday afternoon, police issued an announcement saying they’d launched a murder investigation in connection to Miss Widdecombe’s loss of life.
Her administration crew then launched an additional assertion, saying they had been “completely devastated” by information of the investigation after a “very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours”.
What do we all know in regards to the suspect?
Police have confirmed {that a} 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of homicide in reference to Miss Widdecombe’s loss of life.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman mentioned that the suspect was arrested at an deal with in Newton Abbot on Friday.
He added that the suspect stays in police custody whereas inquiries proceed, and {that a} cordon stays in place at her property whereas specialist officers proceed forensic examinations.
ACC Matt Longman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, speaks at a press convention
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He additionally mentioned the case was “not being handled as terrorism” and there was “no info” right now to counsel it was a “politically-motivated crime”.
Mr Longman mentioned: “That is a particularly tragic incident. Our ideas are very a lot with the household and associates of Miss Widdecombe on this very troublesome time.”
Police outdoors the home of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor
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Earlier on Friday, Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson mentioned: “That is a particularly tragic incident and our ideas are very a lot with the household and associates of Ann Widdecombe at this troublesome time.
“I might attraction to anybody who could have details about this incident, nonetheless insignificant it could appear, to return ahead and communicate with us.”
What has been the response to her loss of life?
Quite a few politicians and distinguished figures have made statements following the announcement of Miss Widdecombe’s loss of life.
Sir Keir mentioned: He mentioned: “That is actually stunning information, and my ideas, I feel all of our ideas, might be with the household and associates of Ann Widdecombe at this terrible time for them.
“Ann was a distinguished politician over many, a few years with many achievements, and it’s an enormous, large loss.
Sir Keir Starmer
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He added that he had spoken to Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK chief Nigel Farage, in addition to Andy Burnham, to “urge everyone to return collectively”.
“Ann Widdecombe was a really enjoyable and feisty girl who spoke her thoughts and he or she was 78 years outdated, she was an aged girl.
“I don’t perceive how somebody may do one thing so horrific to an aged individual. It was a nasty, horrific assault and my coronary heart is breaking for her household.”
Conservative Social gathering chief Kemi Badenoch
PA
A spokeswoman for Andy Burnham mentioned: “Andy’s deepest condolences and ideas are with Ann’s household at the moment, in extremely distressing circumstances.
“Ann gave a lifetime of public service, and it’s completely proper that the police put all their sources into investigating this as swiftly as potential.”
Anton Du Beke, who was Miss Widdecombe’s dance companion when she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, mentioned he was “devastated” to listen to the information.
Ann Widdecombe discovered fame outdoors politics together with her Strictly Come Dancing exploits
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“She grew to become an actual good friend. She was enjoyable. She was upbeat. She was constructive. She was supportive. We had an unimaginable time collectively and we stayed agency associates.
“My ideas exit to all of her nearest and dearest and all her household. It is a unhappy day and I’m devastated by the information of Ann’s passing however I shall bear in mind her fondly, and miss her.”
