Ann Widdecombe murder investigation latest: Male suspect, 26, arrested over death of ex-MP released

Ann Widdecombe moved to Haytor Vale to get away from it all, setting herself up ‘for the rest of my days’.

But as an outspoken celebrity politician, she was somewhat of an anomaly in village life, as Jacqui Merrington found out:

Police on Saturday morning released the 26-year-old they had arrested saying he was no longer part of the investigation.

Authorities said yesterday the case was not being treated as terrorism and there is nothing to suggest the attack was politically motivated.

When asked whether Miss Widdecombe was killed while disturbing a burglary, police said they were keeping an open mind.

Piers Morgan remembers Ann Widdecombe as a “wonderful character” and “tour de force”.

He said he was “shocked and saddened” by news of her death, a “horrendous way for such a wonderful character’s life to end”.

“Ann was an absolute tour de force – opinionated, combative, fearless, principled, and highly intelligent. She loved a good argument but was great fun too. I didn’t agree with some of her views or politics, but she never demanded that I did. She believed free speech was the cornerstone of democracy,” he wrote on Instagram.

He said the two also texted from time to time, most recently when they both ended up in hospital around the same time.

“She sustained her injury rescuing a mouse from her cat. That was typical Ann… a fiery, feisty and often hilariously funny battle-axe (she’d take that description as a compliment) on air, a heart of gold off air. It’s just awful to think of how harrowing her last moments must have been. My deepest condolences to all Ann’s family. RIP.”

Police commentator Graham Wettone says it is “normal practice” for police in this kind of investigation to arrest and then release people when the evidence points elsewhere.

“You follow the evidence as it comes…this was clearly a priority for them to identify this individual, locate them and then arrest them,” he tells Sky News.

“That becomes the priority, so you focus on that individual, once you eliminate them, if you eliminate them, then you have to move on again to your next piece of evidence.”

He says whatever they have since found “has clearly led them to release him from the investigation”.

Wettone spent more than 30 years in Met Police before retiring as a Sergeant in 2010.

British police said on Saturday morning that a 26-year-old man had been released after he was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.

Devon & Cornwall police said they will continue to carry out enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation.

Earlier, they had said their investigation was in its early stages but moving at a “significant pace”, and focused on a white male they believed to be responsible.

The then-suspect was identified only as a white British national, aged 26.

Police on Saturday said the man was no longer part of the investigation.

“The arrest formed part of a fast-moving investigation launched in response to the serious incident.”

Devon & Cornwall police are appealing for help in their investigation after a 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder was released from custody.

They ask anybody who may have seen something, or who has information to share, to get in touch online.

Information, images or footage can be submitted to us via their Major Incident Public Portal [MIPP]. You can also contact us via our website, quoting reference 50260179119 and Operation Hunlen.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “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 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.”

He said speculation could be potentially harmful to the investigation and distressing for the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe.

The arrest of the man who has now been released formed part of a fast-moving investigation launched in response to the ex-Tory MP’s murder.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined.

“Detectives continue to carry out numerous enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Devon and Cornwall Police announced yesterday that a 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe’s murder.

They said the suspect was a white British national, who was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on Friday afternoon.

Police also said Widdecombe’s death was not being treated as a terrorist incident, but counter-terrorism police had been consulted during initial inquiries.

They do not currently believe it was politically motivated either.

After receiving a call from the ambulance service at 11.40am, police found Widdecombe dead in her home.

They said she had sustained “serious injuries”.

Her next of kin have been informed, and are being supported by specially trained officers.

The investigation is in the “early stages”, but moving at a “significant pace”.

A cordon remains in place of the property while specialist officers continue forensic examinations and gather evidence.