𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Detectives have arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of murdering former minister and Express columnist Ann Widdecombe in her own home. The 78-year-old titan of British politics suffered “serious injuries” after a “nasty, horrific attack” on Thursday morning.

Ms Widdecombe, who lived alone, was found covered in blood from a head wound by her carer, it was claimed last night. Tributes poured in for the beloved former Conservative minister turned Reform UK champion, celebrated as much for her forthright views as for her later career as a TV favourite.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for national unity as Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said she could not “understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person”.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the circumstances of Ms Widdecombe’s death were “extremely distressing”.

Forensic officers were sweeping through Ms Widdecombe’s home in Haytor, Devon, for clues as a 26-year-old was arrested 10 miles away in Newton Abbot.

Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said there was “no information” at this time to suggest the murder of Ann Widdecombe was a “politically motivated crime”.

Conservative leader Mrs Badenoch told reporters: “I’ve been stunned to hear this awful news.

“To be honest, I’ve really struggled to find the words to say. 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.”

Assistant Chief Constable Longman said detectives did consult with counter-terrorism officers, but it is not being treated as a terror offence.

The senior officer said the inquiry into Ann Widdecombe’s death is “in its early stages” but “moving at significant pace”.

He said: “We are deploying all the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened.”

Asked by reporters whether the ex-Tory prisons minister’s death was politically-motivated, Assistant Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police Matt Longman told a press conference: “No, at this time, again it’s early stages of the investigation, so we remain open-minded at this time.

“I’ve got no information to believe that that is a politically motivated crime.”

He said it was too early to comment when asked if the suspect was known to Ms Widdecombe.

“We remain open-minded throughout the investigation, and we’re making those inquiries,” said Mr Longman.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was important to “rise above any political differences”.

He said: “This is really shocking news, and my thoughts, I think all of our thoughts, will be with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this awful time for them.

“Ann was a distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements, and it’s a huge, huge loss.”

Longtime friend Edwina Currie, who first met the former Tory minister at the Oxford Union over 50 years ago, said: “News that her life ended in this way is just awful, and in fact, my first reaction was oh god, not again.

“It’s dreadful. She was a remarkable lady. She was a spiky, highly intelligent, very witty, brilliant debater, she was a good person to have on your side.

“They don’t make them like that anymore. They don’t make people who put duty and service to the fore in the same way and then do it with such panache.”

A proud voice for this newspaper’s readers, Widdecombe served as Conservative MP for Maidstone and The Weald from 1987 before standing down in 2010.

A devout Roman Catholic, she was praised by her peers for never shirking a fight over her deeply held Christian beliefs.

In 2019 she stunned Westminster by defecting to the then-new Brexit Party, returning to elected office as a Member of the European Parliament, before backing Nigel

Farage’s Reform UK when the party was reborn.

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 beauty.

Away from politics, Widdecombe found fresh fame on the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered by Anton du Beke, and finished runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke has said he is “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.

“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.”