Ex-UK minister found dead, man arrested on suspicion of murder

British police have arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of murdering former government minister and Reform UK politician Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead at her home in southwest England after sustaining serious injuries.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the suspect, described as a white British man, was detained in Newton Abbot, a town about 9 miles (15 km) from Widdecombe’s rural residence, as per Reuters. Officers were called to the property shortly after midday on Thursday, where Widdecombe, 78, was pronounced dead. Forensic examinations at the scene are ongoing.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said there was no information to suggest the killing was linked to terrorism or had a political motive.

Widdecombe was a prominent and often controversial figure in British public life, known for her blunt speaking style and socially conservative views. She served as a junior minister in the 1992–1997 government of Conservative Prime Minister John Major and later became an immigration and justice spokesperson for Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK party.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to "Ann's dedication during her many years of public service".

Her death comes against the backdrop of two killings of sitting British lawmakers in the past decade. Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a Nazi-obsessed attacker during the Brexit campaign, while Conservative MP David Amess was fatally stabbed in 2021 by a man inspired by the militant group Islamic State.

Throughout her political career, Widdecombe was known for her opposition to abortion and to equalising the age of consent for homosexual and heterosexual relationships. She defended the use of restraints on pregnant prisoners during childbirth to prevent escape and described single mothers as poor role models. However, she diverged from many Conservatives by opposing fox hunting with hounds.

She was also known for her sharp wit. In one of her most memorable remarks, she said her former boss and future Conservative leader, Michael Howard, had "something of the night about him".

Widdecombe said she never had sex or experienced romantic relationships and converted to Catholicism partly in protest at the Church of England’s ordination of women as priests.

After leaving parliament, she appeared on the television show "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2010, where she gained popularity with viewers despite criticism from judges over her performance. She later criticised the programme’s inclusion of same-sex couples, saying it was out of keeping with its family audience.

She subsequently joined Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party and served as a member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2020.

Following news of her death, former colleagues across the political spectrum paid tribute before details of the murder investigation were released. Farage said she "played a decisive role in getting Brexit over the line".

Former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson described her as "a heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker who could move Tory audiences to such ecstasy that she was a very hard act to follow."

By Tamilla Hasanova