Ann Widdecombe murder latest: Man, 28, arrested in South Yorkshire over death of former Tory minister

A 28-year-old man has been arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.

“We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area this evening (July 11) on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe,” Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement, adding that the suspect was a white British national.

Here’s what we know about what happened to Ann Widdecombe:

If you are rejoining us from yesterday’s coverage, police announced on Saturday evening that a 28-year-old man has been arrested in the South Yorkshire area on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.

It follows the prior arrest and subsequent release of a 26-year-old man, also described only as a white British national, on suspicion of her murder on Friday.

The police maintained that there was no information to suggest the murder of the 78-year-old was related to terrorism or had a political motive.

In another update, the police said they believed that the attack took place on Wednesday at around 1130 GMT.

That was a day before ambulance workers called police to Widdecombe’s home, where she had been found dead after suffering serious injuries.

08:00: Anne Widdecombe makes her final public appearance in an remote interview with TalkTV.

Early afternoon: Widdecombe is in contact with a researcher from Channel 5 ahead of a remote appearance on the Matt Allwright show at 1pm, per ITV.

12:19: The researcher, after an exchange of messages, receives a final message from Widdecombe, with 40 minutes until her interview.

12:48: The researcher messages again, asking Widdecombe to join a Zoom link. She does not reply. They try texting and calling again to no avail. The research team contacts her agent and follows up Thursday.

Police said on Saturday they believe Widdecombe may have been attacked around 12.30pm on Wednesday, around 24 hours before she was discovered.

11:40: Officers are called to Widdecombe’s home in Haytor by the ambulance service. There are reports she was found by a gardener or a carer earlier that morning.

06:30: Sky News reports Widdecombe has died aged 78.

17:47: Devon & Cornwall police say a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. They identify him as a 26-year-old white British national, who they arrested in Newton Abbot, some nine miles away.

06:30: Police say the man who was arrested on Friday has “since been released” from custody and is no longer part of their investigation.

18:30: Devon & Cornwall police decided not to release any further information about potential suspects or CCTV footage.

23:30 A 28-year-old man was arrested in the South Yorkshire area this evening on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe

A 28-year-old man has been arrested in the South Yorkshire area this evening on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.

The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody, Devon and Cornwall Police have said.

Miss Widdecombe’s family have been informed of this development.

Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement: “We were supported by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police who carried out the arrest on behalf of Devon & Cornwall Police. At this time, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident and as a force we retain primacy of the investigation.

“This is a live and active investigation, and no further information will be issued tonight. We will look to provide further updates tomorrow.”

Reform UK MPs are being given round the clock security protection following the death of Ann Widdecombe.

The veteran politician, a former Tory minister and later Reform spokesperson, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at around 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.

Reform’s MPs are now being given 24-hour security protection following Miss Widdecombe’s death, as first reported by The Mail on Sunday.

The security is being paid for by the party and was offered for fear of similar attacks.

Ann Widdecombe’s personal driver has spoken of his “absolute shock” at finding out the former MP may have been murdered.

Peter Horrell described the ex-Tory prisons minister as a “great lady” who was “very comical” and “down to earth”.

Speaking to journalists after placing flowers in front of her house, he said Miss Widdecombe had “never mentioned any fear” for her safety and that she loved living in Haytor.

“She seemed quite happy living up here by herself. You never expect it, do you? Well I certainly didn’t. You know, very sad,” he said.

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.