Man arrested on suspicion of murder after death of Ann Widdecombe

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe, police have confirmed.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the 78-year-old was found with serious injuries at her home in Devon on Thursday after emergency services were called to the property. Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives have launched a major murder investigation.

The force confirmed that a white British man, aged 26, is in police custody on suspicion of murder. Officers have stated that the incident is not being treated as terrorism or politically motivated, and enquiries remain ongoing.

Police are carrying out extensive forensic examinations, reviewing CCTV footage and conducting house-to-house enquiries in the surrounding area. Detectives have urged anyone with information, dashcam footage or doorbell camera recordings from the local area to come forward and avoid speculation on social media while the investigation continues.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the investigation as "shocking news", while political leaders from across the spectrum paid tribute to Widdecombe's decades of public service. Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years before later joining Reform UK as its immigration spokesperson.

Her management described the past 24 hours as "very traumatic and upsetting" and asked for privacy for those closest to her during the police investigation.