Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed a man has been arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of murder
Police have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of the murder following the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe.
The 78-year-old was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at around 11.40am on Thursday (July 9) after sustaining serious injuries. It is believed the ex-MEP was attacked nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered.
Tonight (July 11), Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed a man has been arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of murder.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said her death is being treated as suspicious but added: “We do not believe there is a wider risk to the public.”
He said: “Our inquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.”
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 in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
A 26-year-old white British man who was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Miss Widdecombe on Friday was released from custody on Saturday.
A Channel 5 researcher reportedly received a message from Widdecombe at 12.19pm on Wednesday, before a scheduled interview at 1pm. The researcher messaged Ms Widdecombe at 12.48pm to make sure they were still go ahead with the chat.
She was then messaged at 12:48pm requesting she join a Zoom link in preparation for the video interview. But, there was no response, ITV News reports.
Police said Widdecombe was attacked around 12:30pm on Wednesday and then officers were called to the former MP’s home at 11:40am the following day.
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 inquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”
He said the investigation was “moving at a significant pace”.
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