Police launch murder investigation after Ann Widdecombe found dead at Devon home

Police have launched a murder probe after Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her remote Devon home  – with cops hunting a “white male”.

The 78-year-old former Tory minister turned Reform UK politician & TV star was found dead at her Dartmoor home on Thursday.

It is understood she was found covered in blood after sustaining a serious head wound.

Devon and Cornwall Police this afternoon announced they have launched a murder investigation into Widdecombe’s death.

Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said in a statement: “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.”

What you need to know…

• Ann Widdecombe, 78, has been found dead at her Devon home

• The politician’s carer reportedly found her body

• Widdecombe’s management said they are “absolutely devastated”

• The Home Secretary said the circumstances are “extremely distressing”

• What we know about her cause of death as cops launch murder probe

• Who are her family? From the late politician’s parents to her Anglican reverend brother, everything you need to know

Officers attended her home and spoke to a carer who worked for the former MP and is believed to have found her body.

Details of the suspicious circumstances of Widdecombe’s death had been kept under wraps over concerns of foul play.

Police have sealed off the road leading to her Dartmoor home, near Newton Abbott.

Officers are carrying out an extensive forensic examination of the property and are also searching the surrounding area.

A spokesman for the coroner’s office for the county of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay said: “Preliminary inquiries are ongoing.” 

Widdecombe’s management said they are “absolutely devastated” by the news that cops have launched a murder investigation into her death, a statement said.

Cloud9 Management, said the former MP “loved the cut and thrust of political debate” and was a “consummate professional”.

News of the police probe into politician’s death has stunned the world of politics and her many supporters and admirers.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the circumstances around Widdecombe’s death are “extremely distressing”, adding: “My thoughts are with Ann’s family and loved ones”.

Meanwhile, Conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has paid tribute to “formidable politician” Ann.

Departing PM Keir Starmer said it was “really shocking news” that police had launched a murder investigation.

He praised the former MP as a “distinguished politician”.

Ann also spent time as Education Minister and Prisons Minister in then-Prime Minister John Major‘s cabinet.

Following her retirement from Parliament in 2010, Widdecombe swapped the Commons for the ballroom and starred in BBC‘s Strictly Come Dancing.

Ann went on to appear in ITV favourite Celebrity Big Brother, where she finished runner-up to Aussie singer Courtney Act.

Issuing a statement, her management said: “It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.

“Her life and career were driven by her strong Christian values and 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.

“Ann was a valued patron of many causes, particularly her animal charities.

“As Ann once said on The Graham Norton Show, ‘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’.

“We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends.

 

“We ask that the family’s wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected.”

Ann was born in Bath, Somerset, on October 4, 1947.

Her father, James Murray Widdecombe CB OBE, was Head of Naval Supplies & Transport at the Ministry of Defence.

Before venturing into the world of politics, she started her career in marketing at Unilever in 1973.

Two years later, she became senior administrator at London University, where she stayed until 1987.

Ann served as a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010 and was also a member of the Conservative Christian Fellowship.

Famed for being a vocal politician, Ann once remarked about her then-boss Michael Howard that “there is something of the night about him”.

Her comments led the ex-Tory leader to be forever satirised as a vampire.

In 2019, she sensationally quit the Tories and defected to Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party.

And she caused a stir when she joined her fellow Brexit Party MEPs as they turned their back during the EU anthem.

That same year she branded Theresa May the worst Prime Minister since Anthony Eden.

She most recently supported Reform and served as the party’s justice and immigration adviser.

Alongside her political career, Ann was an accomplished author, with several novels, autobiographies and works of non-fiction to her name.

Perhaps her most memorable TV appearance was in the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing, when she was partnered with Anton du Beke.

Ann danced her way through to week nine, providing some hilarious performances along the way.

The political heavyweight also appeared on shows such as Celebrity Fit Club, 24 Hours In The Past and ITV’s Sugar Free Farm.

Ann was also known for her documentaries, which included Channel 5’s The World’s Most Luxurious Prison.