Update — 12 July 2026

Police have clarified that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with Widdecombe's death following the arrest.

The suspect's age has been updated to 28-years-old, and he was arrested at an address in Rotherham, South Yorkshire — not Newton Abbot as initially reported. Police have reiterated there is "nothing to suggest" the death was politically motivated.

Devon and Cornwall Police arrested the suspect at an address in Newton Abbot, Devon, on Friday. He remains in custody.

Widdecombe's body was found by police at about 11:40 BST on Thursday at her home in Haytor, a rural village on Dartmoor. Police were called to the scene by the ambulance service.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said at a news conference on Friday that investigators currently have "no information to believe that that is a politically motivated crime". Counter-terror policing was involved in initial enquiries, but the incident is not being treated as terrorism.

Longman said it was "too early" to comment on whether the suspect was known to Widdecombe. The investigation is in its early stages, and police are appealing for information from the public.

A cordon remains in place at the property while forensic investigations continue. Officers are carrying out door-to-door enquiries and checking CCTV footage in the area.

Widdecombe, 78, served as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and worked as a Home Office and employment minister under Sir John Major between 1994 and 1997. After leaving Parliament, she pursued a media career, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

She was a prominent Brexit supporter and served as an MEP for the Brexit Party between 2019 and 2020. In 2023, she joined Reform UK and worked as the party's immigration and justice spokesperson.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the news was "really shocking". Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was "stunned to hear this awful news", adding: "My heart is breaking for her family."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was "deeply, deeply upset by the nature of her death", describing the nation as "a much, much poorer place without her".

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was "deeply saddened" and confirmed that her department was ready to assist the police investigation.

Widdecombe had remained active in the media and appeared on TalkTV on Wednesday, the day before her death. Her Strictly Come Dancing partner Anton Du Beke said he was devastated, calling it the "saddest of news".

Source: BBC News

Update sources: Reuters (Google), The Guardian World