Kemi Badenoch has condemned the 'nasty and horrific attack' on former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe after she was 'murdered' at her home in Devon. Ms Badenoch said 'the Conservative party is reeling' after police officers found the former prisons minister covered in blood from a head wound in Haytor, Dartmoor, yesterday.The Tory party leader said: 'I've been stunned to hear this awful news. To be honest, I've really struggled to find the words to say. 'Ann Widdecombe was a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind and she was 78 years old, she was an elderly woman.'I don't understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person. It was a nasty, horrific attack and my heart is breaking for her family.'The 78-year-old's death was first announced by her management team this morning, but there was no suggestion that her death was suspicious.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. Ann Widdecombe last made an appearance on Talk TV on Wednesday. Her death was announced this morning by her agent Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch has condemned the 'nasty, horrific attack' on the former Tory politician A police forensics van parked outside Ms Widdecombe's home where the body was found by officersMr Longman said there was 'no information' at this time to suggest the murder was a 'politically motivated crime' or being treated as terror-related.Ms Badenoch said finding out that the former Conservative and Reform politician was 'murdered in this horrible way is just awful'.'The Conservative Party is reeling,' she said. 'Ann was a long-standing member of the Conservative Party, she was a Conservative minister, and then she moved to Reform.'I'm sure they're just as stunned as we are, and I extend my condolences to Nigel Farage and everyone in Reform on behalf of the Conservative Party, because we've both lost a friend.'Earlier today, Ms Badenoch shared a post on social media calling Ms Widdecombe a 'formidable politician'.The post read: 'My deepest condolences and those of the Conservative Party to the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe.'She was a formidable politician who was never afraid to speak her mind and fought hard for what she believed. 'Always true to herself, her politics were strongly guided by her faith and her values. Rest in Peace, Ann.' Police officers stood outside Ms Widdecombe's home located in Dartmoor, Devon A picture of the politician's home, which she bought in 2008