See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ISABELLA MACHIN, REPORTER and ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Updated: 20:17 BST, 10 July 2026 72 shares
The family of Ann Widdecombe has spoken out following the discovery of the former Conservative MP at her Devon home, as police have said they do not believe the incident was politically motivated. Officers found the former Conservative prisons minister with 'serious injuries' and covered in blood from a head wound after an ambulance crew called them to her house in Haytor, Dartmoor at 11.40am on Thursday. The 78-year-old's death was first announced by her agent this morning and there had been no suggestion it was caused by anything other than natural causes. But in an update this afternoon, Devon and Cornwall Police said a 26-year-old white national has since been arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ms Widdecombe.Officers have begun a murder inquiry as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the suspect 'dangerous'.Speaking at the front door of his white fronted Victorian terraced home in Cheltenham, Ms Widdecombe's nephew Roger thanked 'everybody who has sent messages of condolences'He added: 'But we are not going to say anything further at this stage. Thank you.'Follow all the latest updates on the investigation on the Daily Mail's live blog. Key UpdatesMan arrested on suspicion of murder: What we know now Devon and Cornwall confirmed a 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery of the former MP at her Devon home. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman spoke in a press conference at the force's Exeter HQ on Friday afternoon. Here is what we know:A 26-year-old man was arrested on Friday afternoon at an address in Newbot Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe The suspect is a white British national and remains in police custody while enquiries continue The murder is not being treated as terror-related The investigation is in its early stages, with 'no information' at this time on whether the incident was politically motivatedThere is 'no known ongoing risk'Anyone with information is urged to contact the forceSwinney 'very saddened' by the death of WiddecombeFirst Minister of Scotland John Swinney described being 'very saddened' to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe. Taking to X, Mr Swinney wrote: 'I am very saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe and the awful circumstances in which this has happened. 'I extend my sympathy to her family, friends and many colleagues.'White male suspect arrested over Ann Widdecombe 'murder' after she was found 'covered in blood from head wound' at Devon homeA white male suspect has been arrested by police investigating the murder of Ann Widdecombe. Police found the former Conservative prisons minister with 'serious injuries' after an ambulance crew called them to her house in Haytor, Dartmoor at 11.40am yesterday. In an update this afternoon, Devon and Cornwall Police said officers had begun a murder inquiry and were hunting a 'white male' who they 'believe is responsible'.Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman has now told a press conference that a 26-year-old white British man has been arrested at an address in Newton Abbot, around a 30-minute drive from the former Tory MP's home.Ms Widdecombe's death aged 78 was first announced by her management team this morning and there had been no suggestion of anything other than natural causes. It is understood she was found covered in blood after suffering a serious head wound. Read more here:Burnham responds to arrest of suspect The Makerfield MP and likely to-be prime minister Andy Burnham reacted to the 'terrible news' of Ann Widdecombe's death, as a suspect is arrested. Writing on X, Mr Burnham said: 'This is terrible news.'Ann Widdecombe brought conviction, wit and personality to public life over many years.'My thoughts are with her family and friends.''I hope her killer is brought to justice as quickly as possible and faces the full force of the law,' he added. Johnson calls for 'facts' behind Widdecombe's death, saying 'sadness' is 'turning to anger and bewilderment' amid murder probeThe former prime minister Boris Johnson urged for speed in establishing the facts behind the killing of Ann Widdecombe, who he described a 'heroic Brexiteer'.In a series of posts on X, Mr Johnson said: 'I am sad to hear about the loss of Ann Widdecombe, a heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker who could move Tory audiences to such ecstasy that she was a very hard act to follow'. While resharing his previous post, the former Tory MP continued: 'Sadness at the death of Ann Widdecombe now turning to anger and bewilderment at the news that she seems to have been murdered. 'We need the facts as fast as we can'. Nation is in a 'much poorer place' after Widdecombe's death, Farage says, as he shares 'deep upset' Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage said he is 'deeply, deeply upset by the nature' of Ann Widdecombe's death - adding the 'nation is a much, much poorer place without her'. Ms Widdecombe defected to the Brexit Party in 2019 and joined Reform in 2023, where she served as the party's immigration and justice spokesperson.In a video posted on X, Mr Farage said: 'I am deeply, deeply upset by the nature of her death. I’m pleased the police have caught somebody, a 26-year-old man.'Our nation is a much, much poorer place without her. Reform UK is certainly a much worse place without her. 'Rest in peace, Ann. A remarkable, principled woman, and a truly dreadful way to die, and a terrible reflection on modern Britain.'Suspect was arrested a short drive away from Widdecombe's homeThe suspect of the murder of Ann Widdecombe was arrested an estimated 30-minute drive from the former Tory MP's home. The 26-year-old white national was arrested in Haytor, a nearby town to Ms Widdecombe's address in Newton Abbot, police said. Pictured: Police at Widdecombe's homePolice have cordoned off Ann Widdecombe's Dartmoor home as specialist forensics officers complete their investigations. The force added police presence has been increased in the area. Surrounding roads have also been closed. Polanski describes 'shock' of the news of Widdecombe's deathLeader of the Green Party Zack Polanski says he is 'shocked to hear the news about the circumstances of Ann Widdecombe's death'. Writing on X, he said: 'My thoughts are with her loved ones at this distressing time.'Tory former leader pays tribute to Ann Widdecombe, saying he was 'enormously proud to have known her'Conservative former leader Sir Iain Duncan described his pride in having known Ann Widdecombe in the light of the 'tragic news' of her 'violent' murder.Sir Iain, the Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, told Sky News: 'The day started with sad news about Ann and her death. I and others reacted to that out of sadness. 'And then, what, an hour, an hour-and-a-half, maybe two hours ago, it suddenly became apparent that this sad news is tragic news.'We cannot say for certain this is a murder case. But what we do know is it’s a violent act, one way or the other, and that is a tragedy for all of us who were very fond of Ann, and not the right way to go at all.He later added: I have to say I was enormously proud to have known her. We didn’t always agree on everything, but we agreed on most things.'No information' to believe Ann Widdecombe's death was politically motivatedDevon and Cornwall Police said it remains 'open-minded' to the investigation of the murder of the former Conservative MP.Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: 'At this time I have got no information to believe that it was a politically motivated crime.'
