Police confirm man, 26, arrested on suspicion of murder of Ann Widdecombe as death not being treated as terror-related

Ann Widdecombe was attacked 24 hours she was found dead at her remote Dartmoor home, police say.

The former Tory minister stopped replying to messages minutes before she was due to appear on air on Wednesday, a day before she was found dead at her house in Dartmoor, it has emerged.

The veteran politician, 78, was found dead at her property in Haytor on Thursday morning with serious injuries , before police opened a murder enquiry and announced an arrest.

Channel 5 presenter Dan Walker revealed late on Friday that Miss Widdecombe had been expected to appear on 5 Daytime on Wednesday but stopped responding to messages and did not turn up for her slot.

ITV News reported that Widdecombe had been in contact with a Channel 5 researcher earlier on Wednesday , but became unreachable after sending her last message at 12:19pm.

Police continue to explore avenues of enquiry after saying on Saturday they had released a man arrested on suspicion of her murder in nearby Newton Abbot, who was no longer part of their investigation.

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Enquiries 'moving at pace' to find suspect as manhunt ramps up

In a updated statement on the murder probe on Saturday afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “We believe the attack took place on Wednesday 8 July at around 12.30pm.

“Our enquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.

Natalie Crockett 11 July 2026 13:14

BREAKING: Ann Widdecombe was attacked 24 hours before she was found, police say

Ann Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday afternoon, almost 24 hours before she was found dead at her remote Dartmoor home.

In an update on Saturday, Devon and Cornwall Police said the attack is thought to have happened at around 12.30pm on Wednesday.

The former Tory minister was found dead with “serious injuries” around 11.40am on Thursday after emergency services were called to her house.

“Our enquiries are moving at pace for a suspect is believed to be a white male," a police spokesperson said.

Natalie Crockett 11 July 2026 13:03

Journalist pays tribute to late politician

Journalist Colin Freeman remembers approaching Ms Widdecombe at her flat in south London for a story “during her run-ins with [former Tory leader] Michael Howard”.

He recalls: “Expected an earful. Was instead told: ‘You must be cold, standing out there.’ Was invited in & given 2 large Scotches. May she RIP.”

James Reynolds 11 July 2026 13:00

Watch: Moment TV host shows concern after Ann Widdecombe fails to make scheduled appearance

Moment TV host shows concern after Ann Widdecombe fails to make scheduled appearance

James Reynolds 11 July 2026 12:45

In pictures: Police and forensics continue to work at Ann Widdecombe's house on Saturday

Forensics teams continued to work into Saturday at the home of Miss Widdecombe ( Reuters )

Police continue to make enquiries and review local footage ( Getty )

Ms Widdecombe was found dead on Thursday. Her death was announed Friday ( Reuters )

A man lays flowers outside the house of Ann Widdecombe ( Getty )

James Reynolds 11 July 2026 12:40

Ann Widdecombe proved she could lock horns with anyone in the House of Commons, but when an unexpected opportunity came up to embrace the world of ballroom dancing she was happy to let herself be pushed or pulled around.

The former minister became a familiar face on TV screens after leaving the Commons, not least during her stint on Strictly Come Dancing when partner Anton Du Beke regularly dragged her onto the floor, sometimes literally.

Few would have seen her potential on the dancefloor when she became a well-recognised figure in Tory governments, often enduring mockery but always sticking to her guns – she was often targeted for her appearance and her single status.

Ann Widdecombe, in pictures:

Uncompromising as a politician, she played her appearances on Strictly Come Dancing for laughs.

James Reynolds 11 July 2026 12:30

Mass underway for Widdecombe at Buckfast Abbey

Rt Rev Nicholas Hudson, the Bishop of Plymouth, tells the BBC that a mass underway for Ann Widdecombe in the parish she frequented.

"I know that she was a woman of faith and a great public servant,” he says, adding that the church is praying for her and her loved ones.

The bishop said mass would start today at 12 BST at Buckfast Abbey.

James Reynolds 11 July 2026 12:17

Mapped: Locations in focus as suspect released by police

James Reynolds 11 July 2026 12:15

Recap: Saturday's developments

If you are just joining, police on Saturday announced they had released the suspect arrested on Friday on suspicion of murder.

They said they were continuing with their enquiring elsewhere and appealed for public support.

It also emerged that Ms Widdecombe had been due to appear on Wednesday afternoon, just hours before she was found dead at her home in Devon, but suddenly went quiet on Channel 5 researchers .

Tributes continued to pour in for Ms Widdecombe from across the political spectrum. Floral tributes were left at her home, where police maintained their cordon.

James Reynolds 11 July 2026 12:05

Timeline of Ann Widdecombe's last known movements as murder probe launched

08:00: Anne Widdecombe makes her final public appearance in an remote interview with TalkTV.

Early afternoon: Widdecombe is in contact with a researcher from Channel 5 ahead of a remote appearance on the Matt Allwright show at 1pm, per ITV.

12:19: The researcher, after an exchange of messages, receives a final message from Widdecombe, with 40 minutes until her interview.

12:48: The researcher messages again, asking Widdecombe to join a Zoom link. She does not reply. They try texting and calling again to no avail. The research team contacts her agent and follows up Thursday.

11:40: Officers are called to Widdecombe’s home in Haytor by the ambulance service. There are reports she was found by a gardener or a carer earlier that morning.

The Sun reports somebody arrived at the house in hiking clothes “in the middle of the night”.

06:30: Sky News reports Widdecombe has died aged 78.

17:47: Devon & Cornwall police say a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. They identify him as a 26-year-old white British national, who they arrested in Newton Abbot, some nine miles away.

06:30: Police say the man who was arrested on Friday has “since been released” from custody and is no longer part of their investigation.

James Reynolds 11 July 2026 12:00