28-year-old arrested on suspicion of Widdecombe murder

A 28-year-old man has been arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of the murder of former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe, UK police have said.

A statement from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area this evening (July 11) on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.

"The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody.

"Miss Widdecombe's family have been informed of this development.

"We were supported by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police who carried out the arrest on behalf of Devon and Cornwall Police.

"At this time, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident and as a force we retain primacy of the investigation."

Earlier police said they believed former British MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe was attacked in her home nearly 24 hours before her body was discovered and said they are hunting for a white male suspect.

The ex-Tory prisons minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at around 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it is believed Ms Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday at around 12.30pm.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said her death is being treated as suspicious but added: "We do not believe there is a wider risk to the public."

He said: "Our inquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male."

Ms Widdecombe, who was 78, was first elected a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, went on to serve as an MEP for the Brexit Party and then a spokeswoman for Reform UK.

She also found fame outside politics after starring in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.

A 26-year-old white British man who was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Ms Widdecombe on Friday was released from custody yesterday.