A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of homicide following the death of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe.
Miss Widdecombe was discovered lifeless at her house on Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday morning after struggling severe head accidents – however police consider that she was attacked almost 24 hours earlier than her physique was found.
Devon and Cornwall Police beforehand stated the case of her demise is “not being handled as terrorism” and there may be “no data” presently to counsel it was a “politically-motivated crime”.
Right here is all the things we find out about Ann Widdecombe’s demise thus far.
Ann Widdecombe was born in Tub, 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 house 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 beneath 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 turned a Brexit Occasion MEP, representing South West England within the European Parliament between 2019 and 2020.
She subsequently turned 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 have been known as to Miss Widdecombe’s house in Haytor Vale, a village inside the Dartmoor Nationwide Park, at round 11.40am on Thursday, the place they discovered her lifeless with severe accidents.
Her demise was introduced on Friday morning.
Police outdoors the home of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor
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In a press release, her administration staff stated: “We all know this information will come as an excellent shock to the numerous colleagues and mates she made alongside the best way.”
On Friday afternoon, police issued a press release saying they’d launched a murder investigation in connection to Miss Widdecombe’s demise.
Her administration staff then launched an extra assertion, saying they have 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?
A 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of homicide in reference to Miss Widdecombe’s demise – nonetheless he was launched from custody on Saturday and is not beneath investigation.
On Saturday, a 28-year-old white British nationwide was arrested on suspicion of Miss Widdecombe’s homicide round 270 miles away from the crime scene in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
Counter-terrorism officers from North East and South Yorkshire Police assisted with the arrest – nonetheless there is no such thing as a suggestion the incident is terrorism-related.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman has stated that officers usually are not presently searching for anybody else in relation to Miss Widdecombe’s demise.
ACC Matt Longman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, speaks at a press convention
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Whereas Miss Widdecombe’s physique was found on Thursday morning, police consider that she died round 12.30pm on Wednesday afternoon.
She was to look on due on Channel 5‘s Matt Allwright present at 1pm to reply questions on get together chief Nigel Farage‘s Clacton-on-Sea by-election and the inquiry into his funds.
Police outdoors the home of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor in Dartmoor
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Textual content messages launched to the general public present Miss Widdecombe’s speaking to one of many present’s producers, along with her ultimate message being despatched at 12.19pm.
She didn’t reply to a Zoom hyperlink despatched at 12.48pm, and didn’t reply additional calls and messages from the manufacturing employees.
There have been quite a few reviews a few “thriller automotive” seen close to Miss Widdecombe’s home across the time of the assault.
Reform UK chief Nigel Farage informed media that he had been informed a automotive was seen on her driveway at roughly 12.25 to 12.30pm on Wednesday.
The supervisor of a storage in Haytor alerted police at round 9am on Wednesday after his colleague noticed a darkish VW Golf Mk4 parked in a “unusual place” close to Miss Widdecombe’s house.
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson, house affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf, and deputy chief Richard Tice pay their respects close to the house of Ann Widdecombe
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He stated: “[The Golf] was on the prime of the lane close to Ann’s place. If it was an area they’d have parked within the automotive park or one of many lay–bys.
“He was doing up his strolling boots. He was in his late 20s, perhaps early 30s. He was sporting shorts and a T-shirt. I keep in mind considering, “Why is he parked there?” He was midway out the lay-by.
“It did not seem like he fitted in. You do not see many late 20s, early 30s males round right here. He was heading up in that path [of Ann’s house].”
Police haven’t confirmed any additional particulars concerning the automotive or suspect.
The Solar launched CCTV footage that they declare is of the suspect for Miss Widdecombe’s homicide getting right into a automotive with an object that seems to be a wood stick in his shorts pocket.
The footage seems to have been recorded shortly earlier than 8am on Wednesday – 4 and a half hours and 267 miles away from the scene of the assault.
Police exercise in Rotherham (Dave Higgens/PA)
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The Solar have additionally obtained CCTV that they declare reveals police arriving to arrest the person simply earlier than 10pm on Saturday.
Officers in balaclavas stormed the terraced property and arrested the suspect with no battle.
What has been the response to her demise?
Quite a few politicians and outstanding figures have made statements following the announcement of Miss Widdecombe’s demise.
Sir Keir stated: He stated: “That is actually surprising information, and my ideas, I feel all of our ideas, shall be with the household and mates 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, big 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 all people to come back collectively”.
“Ann Widdecombe was a really enjoyable and feisty girl who spoke her thoughts and she or he was 78 years outdated, she was an aged girl.
“I don’t perceive how somebody might 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 Occasion chief Kemi Badenoch
PA
A spokeswoman for Andy Burnham stated: “Andy’s deepest condolences and ideas are with Ann’s household at this time, 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 doable.”
Anton Du Beke, who was Miss Widdecombe’s dance accomplice when she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, stated he was “devastated” to listen to the information.
“She turned an actual buddy. She was enjoyable. She was upbeat. She was optimistic. She was supportive. We had an unimaginable time collectively and we stayed agency mates.
“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 keep in mind her fondly, and miss her.”
Ann Widdecombe discovered fame outdoors politics along with her Strictly Come Dancing exploits
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Alison and Simon Gilbert, who’ve lived in in Haytor Vale for greater than a decade, stated Ann Widdecombe was a widely known determine regionally.
Mrs Gilbert stated: “She was a pleasant girl, very nice girl, and she or he had an excellent sense of humour.
“It’s a stunning space – you speak to strangers.
“Everybody noticed her as fairly an opinionated politician, however to us she was only a individual locally.
“To begin with, we obtained again and noticed police and thought perhaps it was a housebreaking, a variety of us suspected she had a coronary heart assault or one thing.”
“She didn’t should die like that,” Mr Gilbert added.
One girl dwelling in Haytor Vale, who didn’t want to be named, stated: “I by no means met (Ann Widdecombe) though I’ve lived right here all my life.
“It’s tragic, somebody offers all their life to public service after which they finish like that.
“(Haytor) is a protected space. Each couple of years or so, any individual goes across the backyard sheds and nicks all of the costly gardening tools. That’s so far as it goes actually.
“We’ve by no means had something shut (to this) in all my years.”
