A 26-year-old British man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering former British lawmaker and television personality Ann Widdecombe after she was found dead at her home in southwest England.
Widdecombe, 78, was discovered with serious injuries at her residence in Haytor, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, Devon, on Thursday.
Devon and Cornwall Police subsequently launched a murder investigation, and the suspect was arrested on Friday afternoon.
Authorities say he remains in police custody while inquiries continue.
Police have not established a motive for the attack and say it is too early to determine whether the suspect knew Widdecombe.
Investigators have also stated there is currently no evidence to suggest the killing was politically motivated or linked to terrorism.
Political leaders from across the United Kingdom have paid tribute to Widdecombe, while urging the public to avoid speculation as the investigation continues.
Authorities are conducting forensic examinations and house-to-house inquiries in the area.
Widdecombe served as a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1987 to 2010 and held the position of prisons minister under former Prime Minister John Major.
She was widely known for her outspoken socially conservative views, including her opposition to abortion and the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights.
Following her parliamentary career, Widdecombe gained a new audience through appearances on the television shows Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
She later joined the Brexit Party, served as a Member of the European Parliament, and most recently acted as immigration spokesperson for Reform UK.
Her management company described her as a woman driven by strong Christian values and an unwavering commitment to public service, noting that she remained politically active until her death.
In one of her well-known remarks, Widdecombe said: “Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it.”
The murder investigation remains ongoing, and police have appealed to anyone with information or relevant footage to come forward.
