Former Conservative Minister Ann Widdecombe Found Dead; Murder Investigation Launched

M Firoz Al Mamun (Special Correspondent) Posted On Jul 10, 2026 05:14 PM

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Former Conservative Minister Ann Widdecombe Found Dead; Murder Investigation Launched

HAYTOR, Devon —Police in the United Kingdom have launched a murder investigation following the death of Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative Member of Parliament and prominent Reform UK figure. She was 78.

The Incident

Devon and Cornwall Police were called to Ms. Widdecombe’s home in Haytor, on the edge of Dartmoor, at approximately 11:40 BST on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Upon arrival, officers discovered her deceased with "serious injuries."

By Friday afternoon, police had arrested a 26-year-old man at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of murder. The suspect, described as a white British national, remains in police custody as of Friday evening. Authorities have confirmed that the incident is not being treated as terrorism, and they currently have "no information" to suggest the crime was politically motivated.

Official Response

Devon and Cornwall Police: Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman confirmed that the investigation is moving at a "significant pace." Authorities have appealed to the public for any information regarding suspicious activity in the Haytor Vale or Haytor areas.
Government & Political Leaders: Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as "shocking news" and called the suspect "clearly dangerous." Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch expressed she was "stunned" by the "horrific" nature of the attack on the former minister.
Management: Her representatives, Cloud9 Management, released a statement expressing devastation and requesting privacy for her family during this "traumatic and upsetting" period.

Background

Ann Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone (later Maidstone and The Weald) for 23 years, during which she held ministerial positions in the Home Office and the Department of Employment. Known for her robust, uncompromising political style, she remained an active public figure after leaving Parliament in 2010, gaining wider fame through television appearances, including a notable run on Strictly Come Dancing. In recent years, she served as a Member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party and continued her political work as an immigration spokesperson for Reform UK.

Tributes have been pouring in from across the political spectrum, with figures like Angela Rayner and former Strictly partner Anton Du Beke remembering her for her long service, "formidable" character, and dedication to the causes she supported.