Authorities arrested a man on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe, police in southwest England announced on Friday, a few hours after news of the once-prominent politician being found dead emerged.
A Conservative government minister in the 1990s known for her sharp tongue, Widdecombe became an ally of right-wing populist Nigel Farage later in her political career.
Widdecombe started out her career as a high-flyer in the Conservative Party, reaching her most influential position within the party in opposition alongside then-leader William HagueImage: Photoshot/picture alliance
What did police say about the case?
Police said nothing initially about a potential motive or backdrop in the nascent case. "Our murder enquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace," Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said. "We are deploying all necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible who we believe to be a white male."
