Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed on Friday that a 26-year-old white British man was arrested in Newton Abbot on suspicion of murdering Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative prisons minister and later Reform UK spokeswoman. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told a press conference that the investigation was “in its early stages” but moving at pace, and that there was “no information” to suggest the killing was a politically motivated crime or an act of terrorism. The suspect remains in custody as forensic examinations continue at Widdecombe’s home in Haytor, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, where she was found dead on Thursday with what police described as “serious injuries.”

Across the British political spectrum, leaders expressed shock while urging the public to avoid speculation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the news “really shocking” and praised Widdecombe as “a distinguished politician over many, many years.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the circumstances as “extremely distressing” and said the Home Office stood ready to support the investigation. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was “stunned,” while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stated he was “deeply, deeply upset by the nature of her death.” Former prime minister Boris Johnson, in a social media post, remembered Widdecombe as “a heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker.”

Widdecombe served as MP for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010 and held junior ministerial roles under John Major, including at the Home Office. She later became a prominent Eurosceptic voice, joining the Brexit Party and serving as a Member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2020 before becoming a spokeswoman for Reform UK on immigration and justice. Known for socially conservative positions—including opposition to abortion and the expansion of LGBTQ rights—she also gained wider public recognition through appearances on television programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing. Her management company, Cloud9, said she remained actively campaigning for Reform UK and offering “forthright views on the hot topics of the day.”

The killing has drawn attention to the security of public figures in the UK, where two sitting MPs—Jo Cox in 2016 and David Amess in 2021—were murdered in politically or ideologically motivated attacks. However, police have explicitly ruled out any such link at this stage. Assistant Chief Constable Longman said it was “too early” to say whether the suspect was known to Widdecombe. Officers are conducting house-to-house inquiries, reviewing CCTV footage, and have appealed for anyone who saw suspicious activity in the Haytor Vale area between 9 and 10 July to come forward. The investigation is being led by the Force Major Crime Investigation Team, with uniformed patrols increased to reassure residents. The next steps are expected to include further forensic work and questioning of the suspect, with police cautioning that speculation on social media could harm the inquiry and cause additional distress to the family.