Former British MP Ann Widdicombe murdered under suspicious circumstances, police arrested 26-year-old youth

London/Devon, 11 July. A case of murder of senior British politician and former MP Ann Widdicombe (78) under suspicious circumstances has come to light in her home in Devon. There is a wave of mourning across Britain after the body was recovered with serious injuries from his residence. The police have arrested a 26-year-old British citizen on suspicion of murder and started questioning him in the case. According to Devon and Cornwall Police, the ambulance service was called to his home ‘Widdicombes Rest’ in Haytor at around 11:40 am on Thursday. The team reached the spot and found Widdicombe dead.

After initial investigation, the police detained a suspicious youth from Newton Abbott area. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told a press conference in Exeter that following an initial investigation and review with counter-terrorism officers, there was no indication of a terrorist or political conspiracy in the incident. He said that the investigation is still in the initial stage and all aspects are being investigated thoroughly.

• Britain’s leaders expressed condolences

Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, saying that Ann Widdicombe had made a significant contribution to public life over a long period of time and that her death was a great loss to the country. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she was shocked by the incident. Describing it as a very cruel crime against an elderly woman, he demanded strict action against the culprits. At the same time, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said that Ann Widdicombe dedicated her life to public service and her murder is a very sad and horrifying incident.

• Along with politics, she was also popular in TV world.

Ann Widdicombe was a Conservative Party MP and former minister from 1987 to 2010. She later joined the Brexit Party (now Reform UK) and was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) until 2020. Apart from politics, she was also seen in Britain’s popular TV programs ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘Celebrity Big Brother’. At present, the Major Crime Investigation Team of the police has sealed the incident spot and started forensic investigation. Chief Investigating Officer DCI Ilona Rawson has appealed to the people not to share rumors or unconfirmed information on social media, so that the investigation is not affected and the sentiments of the victim’s family are respected.