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UK police are investigating the death of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe as a murder, after the 78-year-old was found dead at her home in Dartmoor. Devon and Cornwall Police said she had sustained serious injuries. The investigation has since been taken over by counterterrorism police, who have rearrested a suspect on suspicion of terrorism offences.

Coverage comparison

Initial reports from ABC Australia said police launched a murder investigation after Widdecombe's death, noting that the former minister was found dead at her home in Dartmoor with serious injuries. Al Jazeera confirmed that a murder investigation was underway and reported that politicians from across the political spectrum had paid tribute to the former Conservative MP turned Reform UK spokesperson, expressing shock and sadness.

A later Al Jazeera report added that counterterrorism police are now leading the investigation, and that a 28-year-old white man had been arrested on suspicion of murder before being rearrested on suspicion of terrorism offences.

Key claims

  • Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home with serious injuries, as reported by ABC Australia and Al Jazeera.
  • Police confirmed a murder investigation is underway, according to multiple reports.
  • Counterterrorism police are leading the investigation, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • A 28-year-old white man was arrested on suspicion of murder, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • The suspect was rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Politicians paid tribute to the former Conservative MP, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement: "Our murder enquiry 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." They added: "A cordon remains in place at the property while specialist officers continue forensic examinations."

Laurence Taylor, head of national counterterrorism policing, said on Monday that they were "pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the motivation for this attack," and that "our priority is progressing this investigation quickly."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was "deeply saddened" to hear of Widdecombe's death. "The circumstances of her death are extremely distressing and my thoughts are with Ann's family and loved ones," she said. "Ann's dedication to public service was decades long, and she was a true servant of her constituents." She added that the Home Office stands ready to provide support to the ongoing investigation.

Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010, holding government positions including shadow home secretary in 1999. After leaving Parliament, she became a TV personality, appearing on Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing. She later joined the Brexit Party and served as a member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2020. In 2023, she joined Reform UK and served as its immigration and justice spokesperson until her death.

The investigation is ongoing.