Asked in 2013 if she was ever afraid of being attacked because she could easily be found, ex-Tory MP Ann Widdecombe said: “I am never scared, or lonely. I’m content.”
A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe.
The 78-year-old former minister and TV star was found with “serious injuries” in her bungalow on the edge of Dartmoor, Devon on Thursday morning. She was reportedly discovered by a carer covered in blood after sustaining at least one serious head wound. Police have not confirmed the cause of death.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said there was no evidence to suggest the murder was politically motivated, adding that it was “too early” to say whether the suspect was known to her. The man, a white British national, was detained on Friday afternoon in Newton Abbott, around eight miles from the murder scene. Detectives are not treating the incident as terror related.
It is not clear if anything was stolen during the attack, if the killer had broken into the house or if they used a weapon. At 3.50 on Friday afternoon, Devon and Cornwall Police announced that the force had launched a murder inquiry.
Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said the investigation was “moving at a significant pace”.
“This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time,” DCI Rosson said.
“Our murder inquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace. We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible who we believe to be a white male.”
Just over two hours later the force confirmed they had arrested a suspect. Mr Longman said the inquiry was “in its early stages” but “moving at significant pace”.
He added: “We are deploying all the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened. I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.”
Police were called to the house in Haytor Vale, a village within the Dartmoor National Park, at about 11.40am on Thursday by the ambulance service. Ms Widdecombe, who lived alone, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
She last appeared in public on Wednesday morning on Talk TV to back Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election. Detectives from the Major Crime Investigation Team are conducting “extensive enquiries” as they build a timeline of her movements from that moment to the time of her death.
They will also be looking at the extensive CCTV in and around her home as they attempt to trace the movements of her killer before and after the murder. Officers will be examining ANPR cameras to follow the movements of any vehicle that might have been used in the attack.
The former MP retired in 2001 and moved into her Devon home, which she called Widdecombe’s Rest, in 2008. Asked in 2013 if she was ever afraid of being attacked because she could easily be found, she said: “I am never scared, or lonely. I’m content.”
In October during a light hearted interview, she was asked about the gnomes in her garden and security.
She said “I’ve never gone in for the big gates and the electronics and all that nonsense. So, no, I mean, anybody could come in and steal a gnome. I would pick them up on my cameras so if anybody wants to steal a gnome they’d better mask up.”
She also said she did get death threats but would ignore them. She said: “I used to get death threats from time to time. We all did, and my staff would say, ‘shall we tell the police?’ And I’d say, ‘put it in the bin, because if the IRA are going to do it, they’re not going to tell you in advance, they’re just going to do it.’ And I still take that attitude. I do know that we’re in a slightly different world. I do know that. But I think it’s crucial that MPs and their constituents intermingle freely.”
Ms Widdecombe told how she was a good friend of former Tory Southend West MP David Amess who was stabbed to death in a terror attack in 2021.
She said: “I knew him terribly well, and his family, of course. And I know, and I said this to his widow, who agreed with me, that he would never want his death used as a reason to distance MPs from their constituents. His belief, and it is still my belief, that an MP should be able to walk through the town on a Saturday afternoon, talk to their constituents. Absolutely. So I feel very strongly about that.”
David’s daughter, Katie, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ann Widdecombe. Ann was a loyal and longstanding friend to my father, Sir David Amess, and our family will always be grateful for the kindness, strength and dignity she showed in the most difficult moments of our lives.
“Her eulogy for my father at Westminster Cathedral, and the compassion she offered us in the days and months that followed his death, reflected the very best of her character — warm, principled, and unwavering in her support for those she cared about.
“Ann’s friendship meant a great deal to my father, and her words brought comfort to so many who loved him. Today, we remember her with affection and respect, and we send our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.”
A cordon remained in place last night around the murder scene while specialist officers continued forensic examinations. Several police cars were lined up on the road outside of her rural house, while a van was parked on her driveway. A forensics vehicle was also at the scene. Her home is surrounded by large green spaces, with few houses nearby.
One officer was guarding the crime scene. A cat bowl with food still in it could be seen at the front of the property – believed to be for her pet, Aloysius, who survives her.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to the murder probe announcement by saying it was important to “rise above any political differences”. Speaking at Chequers before the arrest, he said he would not speculate on any potential motive but urged the public to help catch the “clearly dangerous” suspect.
The Prime Minister said he had spoken to his expected successor Andy Burnham, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK’s Nigel Farage about the case. The ex-Tory prisons minister later became a Brexit Party MEP and subsequently a Reform UK spokeswoman. She also found fame outside politics after starring in Strictly Come Dancing.
Kemi Badenoch said she was “stunned” to hear the news. The Conservative leader said: “I’ve really struggled to find the words to say. Ann Widdecombe was a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind. She was 78-years-old, she was an elderly woman. I don’t understand how someone can do something so horrific to an elderly person. It is a nasty, horrific attack. My heart is breaking for her family. It’s one thing when someone dies but to know that they have been murdered in this horrible way is just awful.”
She said the Conservative Party was “reeling” at the loss and sent condolences to Nigel Farage and Reform, the party Ms Widdecombe had joined after a decades-long career as a Conservative MP and minister.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “I’m really shocked and distressed at the news about Ann Widdecombe. She was a woman of deep faith who devoted her life to public service.
“The idea that she could have been murdered is truly horrifying. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and all who loved her.”
In a post on X, Home Secretary 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.”
Miss Widdecombe’s management firm Cloud 9 urged people with information to contact the police and said: “We are absolutely devastated by this news following a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours.”
Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke said he was “devastated” to hear that Ann Widdecombe has died. The pair were partnered together on the BBC One dancing programme in 2010.
In a video shared on X prior to police announcing they had launched a murder investigation into her death, he said: “I had the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing.”
Meanwhile, Brendan Cox – husband of murdered MP Jo Cox – said Ann’s death brought memories back of Jo’s senseless murder in 2016.
He told the Mirror: “I never knew Ann Widdecombe, but you could tell from afar that she had a mischievous sense of fun and believed things with a passion. She wasn’t someone who changed her views or adapted them for convenience, or to keep up with the times – and, while I disagreed with her on so many things, her passion and sincerity was obvious.
“So it came as a horrific shock to hear of the news of her death. I think we probably all assumed that Ann’s death was from natural causes. It wouldn’t have occurred to anyone that someone in her twilight years would have been subjected to what sounds like a horrific and senseless attack.
“Of course for me it brings back all of the pain and emotion of losing Jo when she was murdered and I have a real sense of what Ann’s family will be going through – the shock followed by the numbness followed by the rawness followed by the pain. I hope the whole country comes together as they did when Jo was killed, to honour somebody who was a real public servant and who believed in doing her best to represent the people that she cared about.
“Moments like this should pull us together as a country in shock, in solidarity, and in sympathy with everybody who is in pain from this horrific, senseless and outrageous murder.”