Ann Widdecombe murder probe: What we know so far

Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe and a 26-year-old white British man has been arrested.

Devon and Cornwall Police say the 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home on Dartmoor in Devon on Thursday morning with serious injuries.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident, police have said.

Devon and Cornwall Police's Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told a press conference there was "no information that this is a politically motivated crime" and also confirmed the incident was not being treated as terror-related.

Earlier, the force said Widdecombe was found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, a village on Dartmoor, on Thursday morning when officers were called by the ambulance service at around 11:40 BST.

Widdecombe's death was announced on Friday morning by her management team, but there was no information about when, how or where she died, and no detail on any suspicious circumstances.

The statement said in part: "We know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way."

Later on Friday afternoon, police issued a statement saying they had launched a murder investigation and released details of a suspect.

Widdecombe's management team then released another statement, saying they were "absolutely devastated" by news of the police investigation "following a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours".

A significant police presence remains at the house, with a BBC correspondent describing several police cars on the road outside and a police van on the driveway.

A 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of the murder of Widdecombe. He remains in police custody. He was arrested in Newton Abbot, a town roughly 10 miles from Haytor.

Officers initially said they were looking for a suspect, who they believed to be a white male, in connection with the case, which was "moving at a significant pace".

Det Ch Insp Ilona Rosson earlier said: "This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time. I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us."

Watch as police to give update on Ann Widdecombe murder investigation

Summary

Police are about to give an update on the murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe - watch live above

Devon and Cornwall Police say the 78-year-old was found at her home on Dartmoor in Devon on Thursday with serious injuries

They are looking for a white male in connection with their investigation, which they say is "moving at a significant pace"

Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman, served as the MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years

Widdecombe's management say it's been "a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours" - earlier when announcing her death, they did not give details on where, when or how she died

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says she is "deeply saddened" to learn of Widdecombe's death and urges the public "to avoid speculation"

Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe dies at 78

Former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe has died aged 78.

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Ann Widdecombe 'will not quit Strictly Come Dancing'

Former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe says she will not voluntarily bow out of TV show Strictly Come Dancing.

In the latest round, Ms Widdecombe, 63, from Devon, was spared elimination thanks to public support after she had received the lowest marks of the night.

The former minister has consistently been bailed out by the public vote despite harsh verdicts from the panel.

But Ms Widdecombe said she would not follow the example of John Sergeant, who voluntarily left the show in 2008.

Political correspondent Mr Sergeant said at the time that there was a "real risk" of winning the show which he said would be a "joke too far".

But Ms Widdecombe said leaving "would be a slap in the face for the public".

She told BBC Radio Devon: "The public are deciding who goes through and who does not go through. If the public say we want to see you again next week and you say 'I've got better things to do', that seems incredibly rude."

In her latest routine, the former Conservative MP for Maidstone and the Weald was dragged around the floor while sitting on her bottom by partner Anton Du Beke.

Ms Widdecombe, who trains with Du Beke in Newton Abbot, defended her style, saying: "If this were merely a dancing competition it wouldn't be Saturday night entertainment. It would be BBC Sport and it would be run on completely different lines. This is entertainment. If people don't like what the public are deciding, bad luck. Try being a politician."

Ann Widdecombe loves being on Strictly so much that she practises her moves in front of astonished train travellers.
Ann, 63, tried street dancing with pro partner Anton Du Beke yesterday in her home town Newton Abbot, Devon.
And she admits she slips in a few moves when she is in London for filming.
Ann told Radio 4: "I do strike dance poses in Victoria station."
She said she is mobbed while she waits to catch her train - and doesn't mind doing her moves for camera-wielding fans.
The former MP, who flew down on a wire to do the tango last Saturday, will this week do a Paso Doble with Anton.
The Spanish dance is modelled on bullfighting, with the man playing the matador and the woman his cape.
But Ann said: "I think Anton thinks I'm more like the bull."