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A murder investigation has been launched after the suspicious death of the former MP Ann Widdecombe at her home on Dartmoor, in Devon, police have said.
Widdecombe’s body was found with “serious injuries” by the ambulance service at an address in Haytor, Devon, at ۱۱.۴۰am on Thursday. The police said officers were searching for a “white male” in connection with her death.
The former Conservative minister’s next-of-kin had been informed and were being supported by specially trained officers, Devon and Cornwall police said.
Detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team had launched a murder investigation and were conducting extensive inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Widdecombe’s death.
Keir Starmer said it was important to “rise above any political differences” and focus on catching the suspect.
The prime minister 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.”
He said he had spoken to the chief constable about the details of the case, and that it was “really important that this is a moment where we rise above any political differences, the political divide, and say the single most important thing at the moment is that all of us and the public help the police identify the individual suspected and make sure he’s arrested as quickly as possible.
“He’s clearly dangerous, and I implore everybody who’s got any information in relation to him to help the police with their inquiries, get him into police custody.”
Starmer added that he had spoken to the prime minister-in-waiting, Andy Burnham, and the Reform UK and Conservative leaders, Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch respectively.
Badenoch said she was “stunned” to hear about the murder inquiry.
“To be honest, I’ve really struggled to find the words to say,” the Conservative leader told reporters.
“The Conservative party is reeling. Ann was a long-standing member of the Conservative party, she was a Conservative minister, and then she moved to Reform.
“I’m sure they’re just as stunned as we are, and I extend my condolences to Nigel Farage and everyone in Reform on behalf of the Conservative party, because we’ve both lost a friend.”
Roads were closed around the scene and a cordon was in place at the property while specialist officers continued forensic examinations.
The force said there would be a significant police presence in the area on Friday while detectives and officers conducted house-to-house and CCTV inquiries.
DCI Ilona Rosson said: “This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time.
“Our murder inquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace. We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible, who we believe to be a white male.
“I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.
“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.”
She said the extra police presence was also to provide reassurance to residents and anyone with concerns could approach officers.
“We will release further information when we are able to do so. In the meantime I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media. This is not only potentially harmful to our investigation but also deeply distressing for family and friends of Ann Widdecombe.”
Widdecombe, who appeared on Talk radio on Wednesday, lived in Haytor Vale, a village within the Dartmoor National Park, in a ۱۹۷۰s bungalow named Widdcombe’s Rest. A plaque with the name of the property was positioned at the end of her drive.
She was a Conservative MP from ۱۹۸۷-۲۰۱۰ for the Kent constituency of Maidstone, later Maidstone and the Weald. She became a member of the Brexit party from ۲۰۱۹ and served as an MEP, representing South West England, between ۲۰۱۹ and ۲۰۲۰. She was also a member of that party’s successor, Reform UK.
Paying tribute after her death was announced earlier on Friday, her management made no reference to how she died.
Portraying her political views as the result of what she saw as “strong Christian values and commitment to public service”, her representatives, Cloud۹ Management, said: “She loved the cut and thrust of political debate and, ۱۶ years after leaving parliament, was still actively campaigning for Reform UK and offering forthright views on the hot topics of the day across numerous radio and television programmes.
“Ann was a valued patron of many causes, particularly her animal charities. As Ann once said on The Graham Norton Show: ‘We get one go this side of eternity, one go. Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it, that’s my philosophy.”
They later said they were “devastated” to learn a murder investigation had been launched into her death.
The statement said: “We are absolutely devastated by this news following a very traumatic and upsetting ۲۴ hours.”
The home secretary urged the public to refrain from speculation over Widdecombe’s death, describing the circumstances as “extremely distressing”.
In a post on X, Shabana Mahmood said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe. The circumstances of her death are extremely distressing and my thoughts are with Ann’s family and loved ones.
“Ann’s dedication to public service was decades long, and she was a true servant of her constituents.
“I have spoken to the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall police today. The Home Office stands ready to provide whatever support they need with their ongoing investigation. I urge everyone to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress.”
