Ann Widdecombe was most recently a member of Reform UK. Photograph: Steve Taylor/Sopa Images/ShutterstockAnn Widdecombe was most recently a member of Reform UK. Photograph: Steve Taylor/Sopa Images/ShutterstockPolice launch murder investigation into death of Ann WiddecombeDeath of 78-year-old former MP and TV personality was announced on Friday by her management
A murder investigation has been launched after the suspicious death of the former MP Ann Widdecombe at her home on Dartmoor, in Devon, police have said.
Officers were called to an address at Haytor by the ambulance service at around 11.40am on Thursday.
Widdecombe, 78, was found deceased within the property and had “sustained serious injuries”, Devon and Cornwall police said.
Her next-of-kin had been informed and were being supported by specially trained officers, the force added.
Detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team had launched a murder investigation and were conducting extensive inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Widdecombe’s death.
Roads were closed around the scene and a cordon was in place at the property while specialist officers continued forensic examinations.
The force said there would be a significant police presence in the area on Friday while detectives and officers conducted 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.
“I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.
“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the vicinity of Haytor Vale, Haytor, or anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage which could assist with our investigation.”
She said the extra police presence was also to provide reassurance to residents and anyone with concerns could approach officers.
“We will release further information when we are able to do so. In the meantime I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media. This is not only potentially harmful to our investigation but also deeply distressing for family and friends of Ann Widdecombe.”
Widdecombe was a Conservative MP from 1987-2010 for the Kent constituency of Maidstone, later Maidstone and the Weald. She became a member of the Brexit party from 2019 and served as an MEP, representing South West England, between 2019 and 2020. She was also a member of that party’s successor, Reform UK.
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