Conservative Politician in England Gets Murdered in Her Home
Police in southwest England have launched a murder investigation after former Conservative minister and ex-European Parliament member Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Devon.
Widdecombe, 78, was discovered Thursday with what authorities described as “serious injuries,” according to Devon and Cornwall Police. Detectives said they are treating her death as a homicide.
Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said investigators are pursuing all available leads and are searching for a suspect believed to be a white male.
“The force is deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible,” Rosson said.
She urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact police.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding Widdecombe’s death or identified a possible motive.
Widdecombe served for years as a Conservative member of the British Parliament before later becoming a member of the European Parliament. In recent years, she aligned herself with Reform UK after supporting the Brexit Party beginning in 2019.
She was widely known for her outspoken political views, frequent television appearances and strong support for Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.
Following news of her death, political leaders from across the United Kingdom paid tribute to her public service.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage praised Widdecombe’s role in the Brexit movement, saying she played a “decisive role in getting Brexit over the line” after standing as a Brexit Party candidate in the 2019 European Parliament election.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch described Widdecombe as a “formidable politician.”
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith remembered her as someone who was never afraid to express her views, per Trending Politics.
“She gave her opinions even if you didn’t necessarily look for them,” Duncan Smith said during an interview with the BBC’s Today program.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also issued a statement following the news.
“The Prime Minister was saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe,” a spokesperson said. “She was a distinctive figure in British politics for many years, and he pays tribute to the conviction and dedication with which she served her country.”
Widdecombe entered Parliament in 1987 and became one of Britain’s most recognizable Conservative politicians during the 1990s and early 2000s. After leaving the House of Commons, she continued her political career in the European Parliament and remained active in public life through television appearances and political commentary.
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