Police officers investigate the area near the home of 78-year-old former government minister Ann Widdecombe after she was found dead, in Haytor, Britain, July 11, 2026. REUTERS/Jack Taylor
12 Jul 2026 04:09AM
LONDON: British police said on Saturday (Jul 11) that they had released a man detained over the suspected murder of veteran right-wing politician Ann Widdecombe.The 78-year-old former Conservative minister was found dead with "serious injuries" on Thursday at her home in Devon, southwest England, according to police."A 26-year-old man who was arrested on Friday (Jul 10) on suspicion of murder has since been released from custody and is no longer part of the investigation," they said in a statement on Saturday morning.Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said officers believed Ms Widdecombe was attacked 24 hours before her body was found.
"We believe the attack took place on Wednesday (Jul 8) at around 12.30pm," he said in the statement, adding that police were still looking for a white male suspect.Mr Longman had said on Friday he "had no information to say it was a politically motivated crime" and that her death was not being treated as terror-related."Detectives continue to carry out numerous enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident," he said.
