SHE APPEARED ON TV JUST HOURS BEFORE… NOW POLICE ARE TRYING TO PIECE TOGETHER HER FINAL HOURS.

A white male suspect has been arrested by police investigating the murder of Ann Widdecombe.

Police found the former Conservative prisons minister with ‘serious injuries’ after an ambulance crew called them to her house in Haytor, Dartmoor at 11.40am yesterday.

In an update this afternoon, Devon and Cornwall Police said officers had begun a murder inquiry and were hunting a ‘white male’ who they ‘believe is responsible’.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman has now told a press conference that a 26-year-old white British man has been arrested at an address in Newton Abbot.

Ms Widdecombe’s death aged 78 was first announced by her management team this morning and there had been no suggestion of anything other than natural causes.

It is understood she was found covered in blood after suffering a serious head wound.

Mr Longman said there was ‘no information’ at this time to suggest the murder of was a ‘politically motivated crime’ and it is not being treated as terror-related.

He told reporters: ‘A 26-year-old man was arrested in Newton Abbot this afternoon on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe. The suspect, who is a white British national, remains in police custody while inquiries continue.

‘While we work closely with our partners and consulted counter-terrorism policing as part of our initial inquiries, the incident is not being treated as terrorism.’

Forensic officers are in the process of examining Ms Widdecombe’s property, which is surrounded by a cordon.

Mr Longman said the inquiry is ‘in its early stages’ but ‘moving at significant pace’.

He continued: ‘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.’

‘I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media. That’s not only potentially harmful to our investigation, but also deeply distressing to the family and friends of Ms Widdecombe.’

Sir Keir Starmer described the announcement of a murder investigation as ‘really shocking news’ and praised the former MP as a ‘distinguished politician’. He refused to comment when asked if he thought the murder could be politically motivated.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the circumstances as ‘extremely distressing’ but urged the public not to speculate.

‘I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe,’ she said. ‘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.’

After arriving at Ms Widdecombe’s home, officers spoke to a carer who worked for her and is believed to have found her body, it is understood.

Known for her redoubtable, no-nonsense nature, Ms Widdecombe spent more than two decades as a Tory MP before becoming a Brexit Party MEP and joining Reform UK in 2023.

She was last seen on Wednesday while appearing on Talk TV to back Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election.

Ms Widdecombe also found fame outside politics after starring in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. She moved to her home in Dartmoor in 2008 and used the proceeds of her reality TV career to renovate it and install a swimming pool in the garden. In interviews, she recalled walking on Dartmoor as a child and told of admiring its bleak beauty.

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Ann Widdecombe appearing on Talk TV on Wednesday. Her death was announced this morning

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Ms Widdecombe pictured in the garden of her house on Dartmoor on May 24, 2013

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A picture of the politician’s home, which she bought in 2008

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Ann Widdecombe appearing on Talk TV on Wednesday. Her death was announced this morning

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Ms Widdecombe pictured in the garden of her house on Dartmoor on May 24, 2013

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A picture of the politician’s home, which she bought in 2008

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Ms Widdecombe’s management team, Cloud9 Management, said: ‘We are absolutely devastated by this news following a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours.

‘We fully support the police in their investigations and we reiterate the family’s desire not to be contacted at this difficult time. We implore anyone who may have relevant information to contact Devon & Cornwall Police.’

The announcement of the murder investigation has sent shockwaves through British politics.

Sir Keir said it was a moment to ‘rise above any political differences’ and said he had spoken to Nigel Farage, Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch.

Asked whether the murder is believed to have been politically motivated, the Prime Minister said the security of politicians ‘is of the utmost importance’ but he would not speculate on any potential motive.

‘It’s really important we remain vigilant. I’m not going to speculate about this particular case,’ he said.

‘The chief constable has briefed me on the details as they’re known at the moment, but I think it’s very important for us to have in our thoughts the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe and, to be clear, the single most important thing at the moment is that the suspect is apprehended as quickly as possible by the police.

‘And I urge everybody listening or watching this who’s got any information at all which may be of assistance to the police to come forward to make sure that someone who is clearly dangerous is apprehended as quickly as possible, and the police investigation can proceed on that basis.’

Tory leader Mrs Badenoch said she was ‘stunned’ by the development and said her ‘heart is breaking for her family’.

‘To be honest, I’ve really struggled to find the words to say,’ she told reporters. ‘Ann Widdecombe was a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind and she was 78 years old, she was an elderly woman.

‘I don’t understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person. It was a nasty, horrific attack and my heart is breaking for her family.

‘It’s one thing when someone dies, but to know that they’ve been murdered in this horrible way is just awful.

‘The Conservative Party is reeling. Ann was a long-standing member of the Conservative Party, she was a Conservative minister, and then she moved to Reform.

‘I’m sure they’re just as stunned as we are, and I extend my condolences to Nigel Farage and everyone in Reform on behalf of the Conservative Party, because we’ve both lost a friend.’

She was echoed by a spokesman for Andy Burnham, who said: ‘Andy’s deepest condolences and thoughts are with Ann’s family today, in incredibly distressing circumstances.

‘Ann gave a lifetime of public service, and it’s absolutely right that the police put all their resources into investigating this as swiftly as possible.’

Writing on social media, 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.’

Mr Farage was among those paying tribute to Ms Widdecombe earlier today, calling her an ‘absolute force of nature’.

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Ms Widdecombe during an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. She was partnered with Anton Du Beke

The Reform UK leader told TalkTV: ‘She never let anyone… with any doubt in their minds at all where she stood on all the great issues of the day, and she was formidable too.

‘I mean, I can tell you, the times when I used to get a phone call from Ann, abrupt Ann on the phone, saying she disagreed with what I’d done or what I’d said.

‘And you know, she’d come to London and we’d sit down over a coffee and talk things through. But that was the thing about Ann: that all the disagreements she had with us over policy and direction and all the normal debate, that was always kept behind closed doors.

‘You know, in public, she was the most incredibly loyal ally.’

He added that Ms Widdecombe moving to the Brexit Party was a ‘very significant’ moment in ‘our political history’, adding: ‘She made us look serious. She made us look real.’

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: ‘I’m deeply shocked to learn of the circumstances around Ann’s death.

‘The police investigation must now take its course and I hope anybody with relevant information will contact them.’

Anton Du Beke, who was partnered with Ms Widdecombe on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, said he was ‘devastated’ by the news.

‘I had the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing,’ he said. ‘She became a real friend. She was fun. She was upbeat. She was positive. She was supportive.

‘We had an incredible time together and we stayed firm friends.

‘My thoughts go out to all of her nearest and dearest and all her family. This is a sad day and I’m devastated by the news of Ann’s passing but I shall remember her fondly, and miss her.’

Ms Widdecombe’s nephew, Roger Widdecombe, has thanked the public for their messages of support.

Speaking at the front door of his white fronted Victorian terraced home in Cheltenham, Mr Widdecombe said: ‘My thanks go to everybody who has sent messages of condolences.

‘But we are not going to say anything further at this stage. Thank you.’

To share information, images or footage with police, visit the Major Incident Public Portal [MIPP]. You can also contact police by phone on 101 or through our website, quoting reference 50260179119 and Operation Hunlen.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.