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Britain

Man, 26, arrested on suspicion of murder after Ann Widdecombe found dead at home - BBC News

2026-07-11

[BB] A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of Ann Widdecombe, police say

Devon and Cornwall Police say a white British male is in jug after the 78-year-old was found at her home on Thursday with serious injuries

The incident is not being treated as terrorism and there is "no information" to suggest it was politically motivated, they add

Police say it is too early to comment on whether the suspect was known to Widdecombe

PM Keir Starmer says the murder investigation is "shocking news", while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says she is "stunned" over the "horrific" incident

Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman, served as the MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years.

The Times of Israel adds:

Widdecombe found fame after leaving Parliament as a contestant on the Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother reality television shows. She later joined the Brexit Party and became a spokeswoman for the anti-immigration Reform UK party.

She served in the House of Commons as an MP from 1987 to 2010 and was known for socially conservative views opposing ~~child sacrifice~~ abortion rights and expansion of LGBTQ rights.

She was also a supporter of Israel, belonging to the Conservative Friends of Israel group for many years and speaking at B’nai Brith events, according to a report in the Jewish Chronicle.

Additionally, Widdecombe wrote a novel set during the Holocaust; the story focused on the tension between a German officer’s patriotism and his opposition to the Nazi regime.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson

...pro-Brexit British prime minister, succeeding no-Brexit Theresa May. BoJo is noted as much for his sparkling personality and his hair as for his Conservative policies....>
called Widdecombe a "heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker who could move Tory audiences to such ecstasy that she was a very hard act to follow."

The management company that represented her after she left politics said her life and career were driven by strong Christian values and a commitment to public service.

"She loved the cut and thrust of political debate and, 16 years after leaving Parliament, was still actively campaigning for Reform UK and offering forthright views on the hot topics of the day," Cloud9 Management said.

"As Ann once said...’we get one go this side of eternity, one go. Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it, that’s my philosophy’."

The Daily Mail has the usual photos, and perhaps there will be an update if the killer is identified.

Posted by:Fred

#1 comments); ?>werwer

Posted by: NN2N1 2026-07-11 06:01

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