Kate Whannel
Politics reporter

Image source, POOL

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has been responding to the news of the police’s murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe.

"I’ve been stunned to hear this awful news," she says during a visit to Portsmouth.

"To be honest, I’ve really struggled to find the words.

"Ann Widdecombe was a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind.

"She was 78 years old. She was an elderly woman. I don’t understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person.

"It was a nasty, horrific attack. My heart is breaking for her family."

Badenoch continues: "It is one thing when someone dies but to know they have been murdered in this horrible way is just awful.

"The Conservative Party is reeling.

"I want to convey my condolences to Nigel Farage and to everyone in Reform on behalf of the Conservatives because we’ve both lost a friend."

Caroline Robinson
South West

Image source, Copyright Chris Allen/Geograph

Widdecombe moved into her Devon home in 2008 in Haytor, on the south eastern edge of Dartmoor.

In an interview in 2008 she told the BBC her mother was from Plymouth and her father from Saltash so she would often be "brought back here as a child and we would always walk on Dartmoor".

At the time she said named her home Widdecombe's Rest as a symbol of her retirement and that she planned to spend the rest of her life there.

Police said she was found deceased within her home on Thursday.

Jenny Kumah
BBC South West England Correspondent, reporting from Haytor Vale

There is a heavy police presence outside the home of Ann Widdecombe - there are several police cars on the road outside and a police van on the driveway of her property.

Several officers are busy carrying out their investigations at the house. There is a sense of shock and sadness here at the details that are emerging.

The house is in a remote rural area close to the small village of Haytor Vale, and there aren't very many other properties nearby.

Devon and Cornwall police are about to hold a news conference on the murder investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death.

You can watch the conference at the top of this page by pressing the watch live button - we'll bring you text updates here.

Image source, Getty Images

Ann Widdecombe appeared on the Talk TV streaming service on Wednesday, the day before she was found dead at her home in Dartmoor.

She spoke about Reform UK and its leader Nigel Farage.

A former Conservative minister, Widdecombe was an early backer of Brexit, ultimately becoming a Brexit Party MEP in 2019.

She re-joined the party, which had been renamed Reform UK, in 2023 as their immigration and justice spokesperson.

Image source, Getty Images

Here's what we know after Devon and Cornwall Police announced an investigation has been launched following the suspicious death of former MP Ann Widdecombe:

• Earlier today Ann Widdecombe's management announced her death aged 78 - they did not say where, when or how she died
• Devon and Cornwall Police this afternoon confirmed a murder investigation has been launched following "the suspicious death" of Widdecombe at her home in Dartmoor
• In a statement, police said officers were called to an address in Haytor, Dartmoor by the ambulance service at around 11:40 BST on 9 July
• Widdecombe was "located deceased" in her home and had "sustained serious injuries", police say
• Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said they are searching for the person responsible - they believe it "to be a white male"
• The force added detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team are "conducting extensive enquiries" into the circumstances surrounding the death
• Meanwhile a spokesperson for the coroner’s office for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay has said "preliminary inquiries are ongoing"

We're expecting more details to come from a police press conference at 16:30 BST.

Ann Widdecombe’s management team say they are “absolutely devastated” by the news the police have launched a murder investigation into her death.

It follows "a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours," a statement from Cloud9 Management reads.

“We fully support the police in their investigations and we reiterate the family’s desire not to be contacted at this difficult time. We implore anyone who may have relevant information to contact Devon and Cornwall Police.”

Image source, Getty Images

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has urged the public "to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress".

In a post on X, she writes that the circumstances of Ann Widdecombe's death are "extremely distressing".

She says she was "deeply saddened" to learn of her death, adding that her "thoughts are with Ann's family and loved ones".

Mahmood says she has spoken with the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police and says the Home Office "stands ready to provide whatever support they need".

A spokesperson for the coroner’s office for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay has said "preliminary inquiries are ongoing".

It comes as police confirm a murder investigation is under way following Ann Widdecombe's death.

The police statement says officers were called to an address in Haytor, Dartmoor by the ambulance service at around 11:40 BST on 9 July.

Widdecombe was "located deceased" within her home and had "sustained serious injuries", police say.

A cordon remains in place at the property, police say, while specialist officers continue forensic examinations.

Detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation and are "conducting extensive enquiries" into the circumstances surrounding the death, the statement adds.

We can now bring you more lines from Devon and Cornwall Police, who just released a statement on their investigation:

Det Ch Insp Ilona Rosson says: "This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this difficult time.

"Our murder enquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace. We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible who we believe to be a white male.

"I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.

"We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the vicinity of Haytor Vale, Haytor, or anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage which could assist with our investigation.

"We have an increased uniformed police presence in the area to both support the investigation and provide reassurance to residents. Anyone with concerns can speak with our officers at the scene.

"We will release further information when we are able to do so. In the meantime I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media. This is not only potentially harmful to our investigation but also deeply distressing for family and friends of Ann Widdecombe."

A murder investigation has been launched following the suspicious death of former MP Ann Widdecombe at her home in Dartmoor, Devon and Cornwall Police confirm.

We will bring you more from this statement shortly.

Image source, Reuters

Ann Widdecombe was a former Conservative minister who defected to Reform UK.

Widdecombe was born in Bath, Somerset, in 1947 and went on to study Latin at Birmingham University, then philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University.

Her political career spanned decades - she served as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and worked as a Home Office and employment minister in John Major's government between 1994 to 1997.

After leaving Parliament she embarked on a showbiz career, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

A staunch supporter of the UK's departure from the EU, she became an MEP for the Brexit Party, representing South West England in the European Parliament between 2019-2020.

In 2023, Widdecombe joined Nigel Farage's Reform UK, after the party changed its name from the Brexit Party, and made a number of appearances as the party's immigration and justice spokesperson.

• Read more about her life here

Image source, PA Media

Ann Widdecombe's management announced her death aged 78 in a statement this morning.

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

They did not say when, how or where she died.

Reports then began to circulate that Widdecombe's death was being investigated by the police - details remain unclear.

Detectives from Devon & Cornwall Police are expected to give a press conference outlining further details at around 16:30 BST.

Ann Widdecombe's agent says they have no comment to make over the investigation.

There will be a police press conference at 16:30 BST.

The death of Ann Widdecombe is being investigated by Devon and Cornwall Police, the BBC understands.

This is a breaking news story - we will bring you the latest updates as we get them.