Ann Widdecombe’s cause of death is yet to be established, the opening of an inquest into her death has heard.
The former MP and MEP was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on 9 July, having suffered “visible injuries”, a brief hearing at Exeter Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday.
Philip Spinney, senior coroner for the county of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, said Miss Widdecombe was found unresponsive in her home by an employee carrying out a welfare check after concerns were raised due to her being “uncontactable”.
Emergency services were called to her address in Haytor Vale but she was pronounced dead at 12.20pm on 9 July.
Mr Spinney said: “A post-mortem examination has taken place and at this stage the precise medical cause of death has yet to be established.
“Shortly after the conclusion of this hearing I shall be taking steps to formally suspend this inquest… Until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.”
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