British police in Devon have released a man who was initially arrested on suspicion of murdering former government minister Ann Widdecombe on Saturday, confirming he is no longer part of the ongoing investigation, according to Reuters and BBC News.
Widdecombe, 78, was discovered dead with serious injuries on Thursday at her home in Haytor, located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in southwest England. Devon and Cornwall Police revealed that detectives now believe the fatal attack occurred on Wednesday, a full day before ambulance workers found her body.
Authorities had detained a 26-year-old white British national on Friday in Newton Abbot, a town just a few miles from the crime scene. However, after extensive questioning, the suspect was freed on Saturday morning and cleared of involvement. The search for the perpetrator continues as forensic teams examine the property and surrounding areas.
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman stated during a press conference that the force does not believe the killing was linked to terrorism. After consulting with counter-terrorism officials, police have found no evidence to suggest the crime was politically motivated, though they remain open-minded in the early stages of the inquiry.
The tragic death of the veteran politician has sent shockwaves through the country. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as horrific and emphasized the need to rise above political divides to support the police investigation. He praised Widdecombe for her decades of public service and called her death a huge loss for the nation.
Widdecombe served as a Conservative member of Parliament from 1987 to 2010, holding various ministerial roles including prisons minister. Known for her socially conservative views and strong Christian faith, she later became a highly visible campaigner for the Brexit Party and most recently served as an immigration and justice spokesperson for Reform UK. She also gained a massive public following through her appearances on popular reality television shows.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage expressed deep sorrow, noting her unwavering commitment to her beliefs and public service. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson also paid tribute, remembering her as a heroic advocate for Britain`s exit from the European Union. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated she was stunned by the horrific attack on an elderly woman, while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey highlighted her deep faith and devotion to public service.
This horrific event has renewed national conversations regarding the security of elected representatives and public figures in the United Kingdom. The nation has seen the tragic murders of two serving lawmakers over the past decade. Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was killed by a far-right extremist in 2016, and Conservative David Amess was fatally stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by extremist ideologies.
Local police have implemented road closures around the Haytor area and established a significant presence to conduct house-to-house inquiries. Detectives are urging anyone with dashboard cameras or home security footage from the vicinity to come forward immediately. What remains unclear is the exact motive behind the violent attack on the elderly politician in her isolated rural home. Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson asked the public to refrain from speculating on social media platforms, emphasizing that the murder inquiry is moving at a significant pace.
