A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe after she was found dead at her home in Devon, prompting an outpouring of tributes and concern from across the political spectrum. Emergency services were called to Widdecombe’s property in Haytor Vale, near Dartmoor National Park, on Thursday morning after reports of an incident. Devon and Cornwall Police said paramedics discovered the former politician with serious injuries shortly before midday.

A major murder investigation was immediately launched, and on Friday officers confirmed that a 26-year-old British man had been arrested at an address in nearby Newton Abbot. He remains in police custody while detectives continue their inquiries.

Speaking at a press conference in Exeter, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said investigators currently have no evidence to suggest the incident was politically motivated.

“At this stage of the investigation, we have no information that indicates this was a politically motivated crime,” he said.

Longman added that following discussions with counter-terrorism specialists, detectives had ruled out any terrorist connection. However, he stressed that investigators were keeping an open mind while examining all possible lines of inquiry. Police declined to confirm whether the suspect was personally known to Widdecombe. The former Conservative minister’s family has been informed of her death and is receiving support from specially trained officers.

Speaking briefly outside his home in Cheltenham, Widdecombe’s nephew, Roger Widdecombe, thanked members of the public for their messages of support.

“My thanks go to everybody who has sent messages of condolences,” he said. “But we are not going to say anything further at this stage.”

Detectives from the force’s Major Crime Investigation Team are leading the inquiry and have been carrying out extensive forensic examinations and witness enquiries in the area. Widdecombe, who was 78, had remained active in public life and media commentary in recent years. She appeared on TalkTV only a day before her death. A prominent figure in British politics for decades, Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone and later Maidstone and the Weald between 1987 and 2010. During her parliamentary career, she held several ministerial positions and became one of the most recognisable voices within the party.

Following her departure from Westminster, she joined the Brexit Party and later served as a Member of the European Parliament representing South West England between 2019 and 2020. She subsequently became associated with Reform UK.  Beyond politics, Widdecombe achieved a high public profile through television appearances on programmes including Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Fit Club, helping her reach audiences beyond Westminster.

News of her death prompted tributes and expressions of sympathy from political leaders across the country. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the development as “really shocking news” and said his thoughts were with Widdecombe’s family and friends.

“Ann was a distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements, and it’s a huge loss,” he said.

Starmer also urged the public to allow police to carry out their work without interference, adding that the moment should transcend political divisions.

A spokesperson for Andy Burnham, who is widely expected to succeed Starmer as prime minister later this month, offered condolences to Widdecombe’s family and praised her lifetime of public service. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was “stunned” by the news and described the circumstances surrounding the investigation as “horrific”.

“The Conservative Party is reeling,” she said. “Ann was a longstanding member of the party, a Conservative minister, and a significant figure in British politics.”

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey also expressed his sadness, describing Widdecombe as a woman who dedicated much of her life to public service and public debate.

Meanwhile, police have maintained a significant presence around Haytor Vale as investigations continue. Roads surrounding the property have been closed, and officers are conducting house-to-house enquiries alongside examinations of CCTV, doorbell camera and dashcam footage. Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said detectives were working at pace to establish exactly what happened.

“Our murder inquiry is in its early stages, but it is progressing rapidly,” she said. “We are deploying all necessary resources to understand the full circumstances of this incident.”

Rosson urged anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area, or who may possess footage that could assist investigators, to come forward. She also appealed for restraint online, warning that speculation could hinder the investigation and cause further distress to Widdecombe’s family and loved ones.

Police have reiterated that enquiries remain ongoing and have encouraged members of the public with information to contact officers as the investigation continues.

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