Man released in investigation into death of former minister Ann Widdecombe

London, United Kingdom. A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering former British government minister Ann Widdecombe has been released and is no longer part of the investigation, Devon and Cornwall Police said on Saturday.

Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in rural southwest England on Thursday after suffering serious injuries.

Police investigation

Ambulance workers called police to Widdecombe’s home on Thursday, officers said.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said police were focused on identifying those responsible and examining all available evidence.

“Our murder enquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace,” Longman said in a statement. “We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened.”

Political career and tributes

Widdecombe was known for her socially conservative and pro-Brexit views. She served as a junior minister in Conservative Prime Minister John Major’s government between 1992 and 1997 and later became an immigration and justice spokesperson for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

Her death prompted tributes from across Britain’s political spectrum, including from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who praised “Ann’s dedication during her many years of public service”.

Recent killings of lawmakers

Two serving British members of parliament have been murdered in the past decade.

Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed by a Nazi-obsessed attacker during the 2016 Brexit campaign. Conservative lawmaker David Amess was stabbed to death in 2021 by a man inspired by the militant group Islamic State.