Police have launched a murder investigation following the suspicious death of former MP Ann Widdecombe at her home on Dartmoor, Devon. Widdecombe's body was discovered with serious injuries by the ambulance service at an address in Haytor at 11:40 a.m. on Thursday. Devon and Cornwall Police stated they are searching for a "white male" in connection with her death.
Police Search for Suspect
Detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team are conducting extensive inquiries. Roads around the scene have been closed, and a cordon remains in place as forensic examinations continue. Police expect a significant presence in the area on Friday for house-to-house and CCTV inquiries.
DCI Ilona Rosson said: "This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time. Our murder inquiry 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."
Appeal for Information
Rosson appealed for anyone with information, CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage from the Haytor Vale area to come forward. She urged the public not to speculate on social media, as it could harm the investigation and distress Widdecombe's family.
Political Career and Tributes
Widdecombe, 78, served as a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010 for Maidstone and later Maidstone and the Weald. She later became a member of the Brexit Party and served as an MEP from 2019 to 2020, and was also a member of Reform UK. Her management, Cloud9 Management, paid tribute, highlighting her "strong Christian values and commitment to public service." They said she loved political debate and remained active in campaigning.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed deep sadness, describing the circumstances as "extremely distressing." She urged the public to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to proceed.
