Police Launch Murder Investigation Into Death Of Former MP Ann Widdecombe
Police have launched a murder inquiry after Ann Widdecombe was found dead on Thursday (Alamy)
2 min read
Police in Devon and Cornwall have said they are looking for a white male after launching a murder investigation into the death of politician Ann Widdecombe.
On Friday, police said they had launched a murder inquiry after the former minister was found dead at her home in Dartmoor on Thursday.
The 78-year-old politician was found dead in her home and had "sustained serious injuries".
On Friday afternoon, Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said: "This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time.
"Our murder enquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace. We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible who we believe to be a white male."
Widdecombe was a Conservative MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and was a minister in the Conservative government of John Major. Later in life, she served as a Brexit Party Member of the European Parliament, before joining Reform UK.
Responding to the news that the police had opened a murder inquiry into Widdecombe's death, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the circumstances surrounding the death were "extremely distressing".
"Ann's dedication to public service was decades long, and she was a true servant of her constituents. I have spoken to the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall police today. The Home Office stands ready to provide whatever support they need with their ongoing investigation."
Mahmood urged the public to "avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress."
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the news of the circumstances surrounding Widdecombe's death were "really shocking" and his thoughts "will be with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this awful time for them."
Starmer said he had spoken to the chief constable and said it is "really important that this is a moment where we rise above any political differences, the political divide, and say the single most important thing at the moment is that all of us and the public help the police identify the individual suspected and make sure he's arrested as quickly as possible."
