Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of former Conservative Member of Parliament Ann Widdecombe, who was found with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, Dartmoor. The announcement of her death, initially suggesting natural causes, was followed by the discovery and subsequent police inquiry.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed on Friday that a 26-year-old white British man was arrested in Newton Abbot on suspicion of her murder and remains in custody. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman stated that while counter-terrorism policing was consulted, the incident is not being treated as terrorism-related, and there is no current information suggesting a political motive.
Ms. Widdecombe, 78, was known for her long political career, serving as a Conservative MP for two decades before becoming a Brexit Party MEP and later supporting Reform UK. She was last seen on Wednesday participating in a Talk TV segment to support Nigel Farage in the Clacton by-election.
MZ Widdecombe's death has elicited strong and varied reactions online. Some social media users and publications posted messages that were widely criticized as insensitive and celebratory. The Socialist Worker newspaper published a headline reading "Hurrah! Ann Widdecombe is strictly dead," which a Reform UK spokesperson condemned as "disgusting beyond belief" and called for an apology to her family.
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell initially posted on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting Ms. Widdecombe's past opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, writing she "opposed every gay law reform for 40 years, supporting every legal discrimination against LGBTs." He later deleted the post, stating he was horrified by her murder and that his message, scheduled before reports of her death emerged, was intended to highlight harm caused to the LGBT community, not to celebrate her passing.
Politicians across the spectrum have reacted to the news of the murder investigation. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged the public not to speculate. Conservative leader Mrs. Badenoch described the news as "stunning" and expressed her heartbreak for Ms. Widdecombe's family, remembering her as a "fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind."