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Police investigating the murder of Ann Widdecombe at her home in Devon state that they "are not looking for anyone else" following the arrest of a 28-year-old man.
The former Conservative minister, and later Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said a 28-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of murder in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, shortly after 9pm on Saturday with the support of Counter Terrorism Police.
He told reporters on Sunday: “At this point, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident and at this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this murder.
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“At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it was politically motivated.”
He said detectives “remain open-minded about the potential motive” and stressed it is not believed there is any threat to the wider public.
He added: “We are aware of online and public speculation, particularly with regards to motive.
“Again, I urge people not to share or engage with that speculation – it’s unhelpful, it doesn’t aid our investigation, and particularly, it’s distressing to the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe.”
Devon and Cornwall Police said previously it is believed Miss Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday at about 12.30pm.
Miss Widdecombe, who was 78, was first elected a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, went on to serve as an MEP for the Brexit Party and then a spokeswoman for Reform UK.
A 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder on Friday was released and is no longer part of the police investigation.
The incident is not being treated as terrorism. Police previously said they remain open-minded over whether she knew her suspected killer.
Speaking on Friday Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “I think this is really important that this is a moment where we rise above any political differences, the political divide.
“The single most important thing at the moment is that all of us and the public help the police identify the individual suspected and make sure he’s arrested as quickly as possible.”
Anyone who may have information, or who saw anything suspicious in the vicinity of the village, has been asked to come forward by police.
Ms Widdecombe, who appeared on Talk radio on Wednesday was a Conservative MP from 1987-2010 for the Kent constituency of Maidstone, later Maidstone and the Weald.
She became a member of the Brexit party from 2019 and served as an MEP, representing South West England, between 2019 and 2020.
She was also a member of that party’s successor, Reform UK, and had appeared on hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said she was “stunned” to hear police had opened a murder inquiry. “Ann Widdecombe was a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind and she was 78 years old, she was an elderly woman,” she said.
The Home Secretary has urged the public to refrain from speculation over the death of Ms Widdecombe, describing the circumstances as “extremely distressing”.