A 28-year-old man has been arrested by detectives investigating the murder of Ann Widdecombe.
The former MP was attacked in her home nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered, police believe.
The 78-year-old ex-Tory minister, who defected to Reform UK, was found dead at her address in Dartmoor on Thursday having sustained serious injuries.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the suspect, who is a white British national, is in custody.
The force said it was assisted by Counter Terrorism Policing North East, while South Yorkshire Police carried out the arrest.
However, there is still no information to suggest Ms Widdecombe’s death was terrorism related.
“We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area this evening (July 11) on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe,” police said in a statement on Saturday night.
“The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody.
“We were supported by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police who carried out the arrest on behalf of Devon & Cornwall Police.
“At this time, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident and as a force we retain primacy of the investigation.”
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.
In an update on Saturday, the force confirmed the man’s release.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined.
“A cordon remains in place at the property while specialist officers continue forensic examinations. There are road closures in place around the scene."
Read More
Police previously said they remain open-minded over whether she knew her suspected killer.
On Friday, Devon and Cornwall Police announced that the force had launched a murder inquiry into the death of the 78-year-old.
Officers were called to the address in Haytor Vale, a village within the Dartmoor National Park, at about 11.40am on Thursday where Ms Widdecombe was found dead.
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”.
In a post on X, Shabana Mahmood said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe. The circumstances of her death are extremely distressing and my thoughts are with Ann’s family and loved ones.
“Ann’s dedication to public service was decades long, and she was a true servant of her constituents.
“I have spoken to the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall police today. The Home Office stands ready to provide whatever support they need with their ongoing investigation.
“I urge everyone to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress.”
Alison and Simon Gilbert, who have lived in in Haytor Vale for more than a decade, said Ann Widdecombe was a well-known figure locally.
Mrs Gilbert said: “She was a nice woman, really nice woman, and she had a great sense of humour.
“It’s a lovely area – you talk to strangers.
“Everyone saw her as quite an opinionated politician, but to us she was just a person in the community.
“First of all, we got back and saw police and thought maybe it was a burglary, a lot of us suspected she had a heart attack or something.”
“She didn’t deserve to die like that,” Mr Gilbert added.
One woman living in Haytor Vale, who did not wish to be named, said: “I never met (Ann Widdecombe) although I’ve lived here all my life.
“It’s tragic, someone gives all their life to public service and then they end like that.
“(Haytor) is a safe area. Every couple of years or so, somebody goes around the garden sheds and nicks all the expensive gardening equipment. That’s as far as it goes really.
“We’ve never had anything close (to this) in all my years.”