𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Police believe Ann Widdecombe was attacked in her home nearly 24 hours before she was found dead and are hunting for a white male suspect. Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said her death is being treated as suspicious, but “we do not believe there is a wider risk to the public”.

He said: “We believe the attack took place on Wednesday July 8 at around 12.30pm. Our inquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.” The force earlier arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of murder, but later released him from custody, and he is no longer part of the investigation. Assistant Chief Constable Longman urged anyone with information to come forward and to avoid speculation online about what happened.

He wrote on social media: “Really sad news about Ann Widdecombe, horrible to think about what she went through. To clarify something we said on the programme tonight…

“Ann was due to appear on 5 Daytime on Wednesday afternoon but stopped responding to messages and didn’t turn up for the show.

“The team contacted her agent to ask them to check in on her. This information has been passed to police as it’s part of the investigation.”

Police were called to the former Tory minister’s house in Haytor, Devon, at around 11.40am on Thursday. Arriving alongside the ambulance service, they found her dead inside the property, having sustained serious injuries.

Devon and Cornwall Police urged householders to be aware of the potential risks of leaving doors and windows open and to avoid placing valuables within easy reach.

A spokesperson said: “It is important to ensure your home and property are still safe and secure during these times. Please be vigilant and aware of who is around and what could be easily taken from an open window.”