Murder Probe Launched in Britain After Former MP Ann Widdecombe Found Dead
UK police have launched a murder investigation following the suspicious death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe at her home in Devon, southwest England. The 78-year-old was found dead on Thursday.
Key Details:
A 26-year-old white British man has been arrested in connection with the death
Widdecombe sustained serious injuries, according to Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman of Devon and Cornwall Police
Police have no evidence the killing was politically motivated or terror-related
Widdecombe served as a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010, rising to prominence as a prisons minister and becoming known for her strong Christian faith and forthright opinions. In 1995, she defended the controversial policy of chaining pregnant prisoners to hospital beds during hospital visits.
She later became a household name through reality television, most notably her 2010 appearance on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, where her self-described "galumphing" moves carried her to the quarter-finals through public votes. She subsequently appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and other shows.
In 2019, Widdecombe joined Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and served as a Member of the European Parliament until 2020. Farage paid tribute, saying she "played a decisive role in getting Brexit over the line."
Political Reactions:
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the murder inquiry "really shocking"
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the circumstances as "extremely distressing"
Her management agency, Cloud9, noted that for many she would be remembered for her "unforgettable appearances on Strictly."
The investigation is ongoing.