Overview
- Officers were called to Ann Widdecombe’s home on Dartmoor and found her deceased on Thursday after she had sustained serious injuries.
- Devon and Cornwall Police arrested a 26-year-old man on Friday on suspicion of murder and then released him on Saturday, saying he is no longer part of the investigation.
- A forensic cordon, road closures, house-to-house enquiries and a public Major Incident portal have been set up as detectives examine evidence and CCTV.
- Police say the death is not being treated as terrorism and there is currently no information to suggest a politically motivated attack, while investigators say they remain open-minded on motive.
- Widdecombe was a prominent former Conservative minister who later joined the Brexit movement and Reform UK, and leaders across parties have urged restraint as the inquiry continues.