UK police arrest murder suspect in Ann Widdecombe's death
Police in southwest England say they have arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of murdering politician Ann Widdecombe. Based on initial inquiries, they were not
Police in southwest England say they have arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of murdering politician Ann Widdecombe. Based on initial inquiries, they were not treating the case as terrorism or politically motivated. Authorities arrested a man on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe, police in southwest England announced on Friday, a few hours after news of the once-prominent politician being found dead emerged. A Conservative government minister in the 1990s known for her sharp tongue, Widdecombe became an ally of right-wing populist Nigel Farage later in her political career. Widdecombe started out her career as a high-flyer in the Conservative Party, reaching her most influential position within the party in opposition alongside then-leader William Hague Image: Photoshot/picture alliance What did police say about the case? Police said nothing initially about a potential motive or backdrop in the nascent case. "Our murder enquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace," Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said. "We are deploying all necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible who we believe to be a white male." But soon after their initial announcement, police said that a white male, a British citizen aged 26, had been arrested and remained in custody.
Matt Longman from Devon and Cornwall Police said that, at least based on preliminary inquiries, the incident "is not being treated as terrorism" or as being politically motivated. Police said they were called to Widdecombe's address in Dartmoor in Devon around midday on Thursday where she was found to have died having "sustained serious injuries." Rosson appealed to anyone with information to come forward, "however insignificant" it might seem. "We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the vicinity of Haytor Vale, Haytor, or anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage which could assist with our investigation," Rosson said. The Brexit referendum pushed Widdecombe away from the Conservative Party — divided on the issue as it was during the campaign — and towards Nigel Farage Image: Dinendra Haria/London News Pictures/ZUMA/picture alliance How did Prime Minister Keir Starmer respond? British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed condolences to Widdecombe's family and friends amid the "really shocking news," hailing Widdecombe as a "distinguished" politician. "I think this is really important that this a moment where we rise above any political differences, the political divide," Starmer said soon before news of the suspect's arrest, saying the priority was to identify and secure a man who was "clearly dangerous." Starmer said he had spoken with the speaker of parliament, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK's Nigel Farage, and his heir apparent Andy Burnham "to urge everybody to come together at a moment like this and to urge everybody to help the police." Who was Ann Widdecombe?
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