Police Launch Murder Probe Following Death Of Former Tory Minister Ann Widdecombe

Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of former MP and Tory minister Ann Widdecombe.

The ex-prisons minister, who was 78, was found dead at her home in Devon.

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.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.”

Widdecombe, who was a Conservative MP from 1987 until 2010, found fame outside politics after starring in Strictly Come Dancing.

Prime minister Keir Starmer led the tributes to Widdecombe, who went on to join the Brexit Party and then Reform UK, on Friday.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The prime minister was saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe.

“She was a distinctive figure in British politics for many years, and he pays tribute to the conviction and dedication with which she served her country.”

Kemi Badenoch said Widdecombe had been a “formidable politician”.

The Tory leader said in a post on X: “My deepest condolences and those of the Conservative Party to the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe.

“She was a formidable politician who was never afraid to speak her mind and fought hard for what she believed. Always true to herself, her politics were strongly guided by her faith and her values. Rest in Peace, Ann.”

Reform leader Nigel Farage told TalkTV: “She was an absolute force of nature. She never let anyone… with any doubt in their minds at all where she stood on all the great issues of the day, and she was formidable too.

“I mean, I can tell you, the times when I used to get a phone call from Ann, abrupt Ann on the phone, saying she disagreed with what I’d done or what I’d said.

“And you know, she’d come to London and we’d sit down over a coffee and talk things through. But that was the thing about Ann: that all the disagreements she had with us over policy and direction and all the normal debate, that was always kept behind closed doors.

“You know, in public, she was the most incredibly loyal ally.”

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