Detectives have released a new statement, as they continue to hunt for the killer of the former Strictly star
Cops hunting the killer of former MP Ann Widdecombe have addressed CCTV images that could be crucial to their case. The Reform UK spokesperson was attacked in her home nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered in her rural Devon home on Thursday.
Police had arrested a 26-year-old white British man at an address in Newton Abbot, but he has now been released without charge. Today, investigators said they will not be releasing descriptions of suspects, or any CCTV images.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, Devon and Cornwall Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “I want to start with expressing my thanks to the local community and to the people who have come forward so far with their information.
“We have been working at pace on this investigation.
“Officers are making progress and are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.
“At this time, we have made the active decision not to release further information, including descriptions of any potential suspects or releasing CCTV footage.
“Releasing such information prematurely could compromise ongoing inquiries and may prejudice future investigative opportunities.”
He said the decision not to disclose further details is made on an “operational basis”, adding that the force will release information to the public when it is “appropriate and necessary”.
“I would ask the public again, please do not to speculate on social media,” he continued.
“If you have any relevant information and have not yet reported, please do so via the major incident public portal.
“Our thoughts remain with Ann Widdecombe’s family and friends at this sad time. They continue to be supported by specialist officers.”
The ex-Tory prisons minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at around 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.
Miss Widdecombe, who was 78, was first elected a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, went on to serve as an MEP for the Brexit Party and then a spokeswoman for Reform UK.
She also found fame outside politics after starring on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage visited the village to pay tribute to Miss Widdecombe on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters, he said his party has been going through its emails to check for patterns of abuse directed at Miss Widdecombe, but has not been able to find anything.
In a statement on social media, Mr Farage said the former MP and MEP’s death, and subsequent police murder investigation, was a “terrible reflection on modern Britain”.
In a video statement published on social media, he added: “And I do fear that for anybody in public life, or especially the political space, things have become even more dangerous today.”
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Miss Widdecombe appeared on TalkTV on Wednesday morning, the day before she was found dead and was also due to be a guest on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show on Wednesday afternoon, but did not appear, as first reported by ITV.
She had exchanged messages with a researcher from the show, but did not respond when they tried to contact her to join a Zoom call from home.
Calls and texts sent after the programme aired remained unanswered, ITV said, and the team on the Channel 5 show followed up with her agent later on Wednesday and on Thursday.
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