A man suspected of murdering Ann Widdecombe is believed to have driven almost 300 miles to her Dartmoor home with a “wooden pole” on the morning of her death, it has been reported.
Police are still questioning a man over the suspected murder of Ms Widdecombe after a 28-year-old white British man was arrested at the Rotherham address on Saturday evening.
CCTV footage seen by The Telegraph appears to show a man leaving the address at around 7am on Wednesday - the day Ms Widdecombe is believed to have been attacked.
The man is said to have been seen putting “some kind of wooden stick” into the passenger side of a red car before driving off, the newspaper reported.
Police have said there is currently “nothing to suggest” that Ms Widdecombe’s murder was terrorism-related or politically motivated.
Devon and Cornwall Police assistant chief constable, Matt Longman, said detectives remain open-minded about the motive, adding: “At this stage there is nothing to suggest it was politically motivated.”
Key Points
- Police 'not looking for anyone else' and no indication of political motive in attack
- UK police arrest new suspect in Ann Widdecombe murder investigation
- Man left address linked to murder suspect with 'wooden stick', reports say
- Widdecombe murder speculation is ‘unhelpful and distressing’, police say
- ‘Is everything ok?’: Ann Widdecombe’s final messages revealed
In pictures: Police remain present outside Ann Widdecombe's Haytor residence
11:30 , Bryony Gooch
Nigel Farage accused of ‘exploiting’ Ann Widdecombe’s death as ‘political propaganda’
11:00 , Bryony Gooch
Farage accused of ‘exploiting’ Ann Widdecombe’s death as ‘political propaganda’
Richard Tice accuses media of 'contempt' following accusations Farage is using Ann Widdecombe's death as 'propaganda'
10:40 , Bryony Gooch
Reform UK’s deputy leader has accused the media of attempts to “smear and discredit” the party’s leaders over their response to the murder of Ann Widdecombe.
Ms Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister, joined Reform as a spokeswoman.
Richard Tice directed ire at The Times following a report that Nigel Farage was accused of using Ms Widdecombe’s death as political propaganda.
“You are sick”, he said on X. “Your contempt bordering on hatred of Nigel, myself & Reform means you stoop to any low to smear & discredit us. You lie, libel and make things up.
“How many more Reform politicians do you want dead?
“Shame on you”.
The Times Group:
— Richard Tice MP 🇬🇧 (@TiceRichard) July 13, 2026
You are sick
Your contempt bordering on hatred of Nigel, myself & Reform means you stoop to any low to smear & discredit us. You lie, libel and make things up.
How many more Reform politicians do you want dead?
Shame on you https://t.co/LnCCZ4YEqi
Sir Iain Duncan Smith: 'This is not an Agatha Christie novel'
10:33 , Bryony Gooch
Former Conservative party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has warned against speculation around former minister Ann Widdecombe’s murder.
“Speculating doesn’t help, and in public life we do run risks because the whole purpose of politics is to be close to the people and that is how it works and we never want to change that,” he said. “I don’t think there’s much point in trying to speculate about her death publicly.
“Don’t speculate publicly, don’t try and give some news interview in which you’re able to tell everybody what you think.
“This is not an Agatha Christie novel, this is real life and it’s a real murder.”
Watch: Man ‘with stick left house linked to Widdecombe murder suspect and drove away’
10:00 , Bryony Gooch
Reform politician hits back at accusation party is exploiting Ann Widdecombe's death
09:42 , Bryony Gooch
Reform politician Matt Goodwin has hit back at accusations that the party is exploiting Ann Widdecombe’s death.
He said on social media: “Imagine if somebody had said Labour MPs were using the murder of Jo Cox for ‘propaganda’.
“Then why say it about Nigel Farage? Nigel knew Ann. He respected Ann. And they were incredibly good friends.
“The treatment of Farage is nothing short of disgraceful.”
Imagine if somebody had said Labour MPs were using the murder of Jo Cox for "propaganda".
— Matt Goodwin (@GoodwinMJ) July 13, 2026
Then why say it about Nigel Farage? Nigel knew Ann. He respected Ann. And they were incredibly good friends.
The treatment of Farage is nothing short of disgraceful.
Police continue questioning man over suspected murder of Ann Widdecombe
09:00 , Bryony Gooch
Police are continuing to question a man over the suspected murder of Ann Widdecombe.
A 28-year-old white British man was arrested at an address in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday evening, and is understood to remain in police custody.
The police can hold suspects for up to 24 hours before they have to charge them with a crime or release them.
They can apply to hold suspects for up to 36 or 96 hours if they are suspected of a serious crime, such as murder.
South Yorkshire Police Tactical Support Group van parked outside house linked to suspect on Sunday
09:00 , Bryony Gooch
On Sunday evening, a South Yorkshire Police Tactical Support Group van was parked outside the Rotherham house linked to the Ann Widdecombe murder suspect.
At least two other marked vehicles, and forensics officers in white overalls were going in and out of the property in Byrley Road in the Kimberworth Park area of Rotherham – more than 200 miles from the former minister’s home in Devon.
Ann Widdecombe’s final messages sent minutes before death revealed
08:30 , Bryony Gooch
Ann Widdecombe’s final messages sent minutes before death revealed
Watch: The police's latest update in Ann Widdecombe murder as suspect, 28, arrested
08:13 , Bryony Gooch
Ex-Tory MP accuses Farage of using Ann Widdecombe's death as propaganda
08:00 , Bryony Gooch
Former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor has told Nigel Farage to avoid turning Ann Widdecombe’s death into political propaganda after the Reform UK leader suggested her murder was premeditated.
“Ann Widdecombe was far too dear to her family, friends and former colleagues for her murder to be exploited as political propaganda,” Mr Proctor told The Times.
“The police have expressly asked the public not to speculate about the motive. It is therefore deeply disappointing that Nigel Farage has chosen to do precisely that.”
Mr Farage responded: “Harvey was very close to Ann, I know he is upset, but I was really careful not to be political.
“I was very clear in what I said. I said I would not speculate as to whether it was someone with a grudge, someone with mental health problems or someone with political problems.
“I also said very clearly that I didn’t believe for one moment that it was a burglary that went wrong and I am 100 per cent certain I am right on that.”
In pictures: Reform UK leadership pay tribute to Ann Widdecombe
07:48 , Bryony Gooch
Farage warned not to speculate on Ann Widdecombe's death
07:21 , Bryony Gooch
Nigel Farage is facing calls for restraint after sharing his thoughts about the death of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe, amid a police murder investigation.
Reform leader Mr Farage is facing criticism for remarks he made to the press in Devon after paying tribute to Ms Widdecombe on Saturday.
He told reporters he believed the attack on her was “premeditated murder” and said a car had appeared on her drive at around 12.25pm on Wednesday.
“I don’t think it pays at this moment in time to speculate,” Mr Farage also said.
Former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor was among those who criticised Mr Farage, telling The Times: “The police have expressly asked the public not to speculate about the motive.
“It is therefore deeply disappointing that Nigel Farage has chosen to do precisely that.”
Devon and Cornwall Police praised for swift response in Ann Widdecombe murder investigation
07:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Chief constable James Vaughan said the Devon and Cornwall Police had delivered “British policing at its very best” after responding to the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe.
He said police had mounted “an extraordinary response to a horrific murder of a very prominent public figure” and that the investigation had moved at “lightning pace” over the past 48 hours.
Vaughan added: “I am really pleased that we have a suspect firmly in custody.”Devon’s police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez said the case had created a “very unsettling time” for the local community.
“One of the lines that the police are always saying is ‘don't speculate’ – my view is everyone is going to speculate, but just do it in the safety of your own home or down the pub,” she said.
Former police chief warns social media is undermining criminal investigations
06:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Former police chief Sir Peter Fahy has warned that social media has transformed criminal investigations by increasing public commentary before cases reach court.
He argued that the criminal justice system was designed for an earlier era and now struggles to cope with the speed and volume of information shared in high-profile cases.
He told the Guardian: “I think the whole sub-judice rule is under a massive amount of pressure … the reality is, often in high-profile cases, so much is said and publicised beforehand … the whole murder investigation process, the criminal justice system, the court process was designed for another era, something closer to Midsomer Murders.”
He told the outlet that public interventions could also create practical dangers for detectives.
“Things can be said and lodged in the public mind and then, when somebody is arrested and the case comes to court, even though the story may be very different, that doesn’t get the same sort of coverage.”
He said: “We’re asking the police to do an impossible job here, where everything they do is being commented on and speculated on and often filmed as well.”
Police say no evidence Ann Widdecombe's killing was politically motivated
06:26 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Devon and Cornwall Police said there is currently no evidence to suggest that the killing of Ann Widdecombe was politically motivated or terrorism-related, despite questions raised by Reform UK figures.
Assistant chief constable Matt Longman said detectives remained open-minded about the motive.
“At this point, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident, and at this point we are not looking at anyone else in connection with this murder.
“Detectives remain open-minded about the potential motive. At this stage there is nothing to suggest it was politically motivated.”
However, The Telegraph reported that Reform sources questioned the police's assessment. One party source reportedly said: “It is clear to everybody that we are being gaslit by the police.”
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice also urged police to provide regular updates. “In order to assuage any concern, keep us updated at least once a day.”
UK police arrest new suspect in Ann Widdecombe murder investigation
06:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Devon and Cornwall Police have arrested a 28-year-old man in South Yorkshire in connection with the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe.
The police said the suspect remains in custody after being arrested about 200 miles from Widdecombe's home in Haytor, Devon.
Police also confirmed that a 26-year-old man arrested earlier has been released and is no longer under investigation.
What are the latest developments in Ann Widdecombe’s murder probe?
06:00 , Harriette Boucher
Police are continuing to investigate the murder of Ann Widdecombe after a 28-year-old man was arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of killing the former MP.
It was the second arrest in two days after police swopped in on a 26-year-old man on Friday, who was released without charge the following day.
Following the second arrest, police told a press conference on Sunday that they were not looking for anyone else and had no indication of political motive, adding that they remained open minded regarding possible motives.
The force also thanked the public for sharing more than 120 pieces of information to help with their investigation in recent days.
It has been reported that a man put a “wooden stick” in a car outside an address linked to the Widdecombe murder suspect before driving off on the morning she is believed to have been attacked.
CCTV footage seen by The Telegraph appears to show a man leaving an address linked to the suspect at around 7am on Wednesday – the day Miss Widdecombe is believed to have been attacked.
It also emerged that Miss Widdecombe suddenly stopped responding to messages moments before she was due to appear on air for interview on Wednesday, the day before she was found at her dead at her Dartmoor home.
Chief Constable James Vaughan praised his force for its investigation, saying it was “clearly British policing at its very best.
“The operation has been running at a lightning pace for 48 hours,” he added.
“I am really pleased that we have a suspect firmly in custody and that will undergo some further work from us today.”
Widdecombe murder speculation is ‘unhelpful and distressing’, police say
05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Senior police officers and politicians have urged restraint and warned against speculation over the murder investigation of Ann Widdecombe after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described her death as “premeditated murder”.
Assistant chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police, Matt Longman, said: “At this point, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident and at this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this murder.
“At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it was politically motivated.”
Longman added: “We are aware of online and public speculation, particularly with regards to motive. Again, I urge people not to share or engage with that speculation. It’s unhelpful.“It doesn’t aid our investigation, and particularly, it’s distressing to the family and friends of Ms Widdecombe.”
Farage had earlier said that the case demonstrated that for “people now in public life, especially in politics, the world is very much more dangerous than it’s ever been, whatever the outcome of the motives of the killer”.
Reform UK reviewing emails sent to Widdecombe to check for any threats
05:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Reform UK is reviewing emails sent to Ann Widdecombe in the weeks before her alleged murder to determine whether they contained any threats against her, The Telegraph reports.
Police, meanwhile, say that there is currently no evidence that Widdecombe's killing was politically motivated or terrorism-related.
Police have said a 28-year-old man arrested in Rotherham on suspicion of murder remains in custody. Detectives added that they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the investigation and have found no evidence of any wider threat to the public.
ICYMI: Neighbours describe police arrest on Saturday night
05:00 , Harriette Boucher
Neighbours in Byrley Road in Rotherham have told how police arrived at a terraced property just before the kick-off of the England World Cup match on Saturday night.
A number of units arrived and officers took a red car from the driveway at about 3am.
On Sunday evening, a South Yorkshire Police Tactical Support Group van was parked outside the house with at least two other marked vehicles, and forensics officers in white overalls were going in and out of the property.
One neighbour said: “It all happened just before the match.
“When we came home from watching it there were just two plain police cars there but everyone says there were loads more here before that.”
A woman said: “Nothing happens on this street. We’ve been here 12 years and nothing has ever happened.”
Police launch murder enquiry following death of Ann Widdecombe
04:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Police have said that a 28-year-old man was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area on the evening of 11 July "on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe".
"The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody.
"Miss Widdecombe’s family have been informed of this development.
"We were supported by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police who carried out the arrest on behalf of Devon & Cornwall Police.
“At this time, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident and as a force we retain primacy of the investigation.”
‘Is everything ok?’: Ann Widdecombe’s final messages revealed
04:00 , Harriette Boucher
Ann Widdecombe stopped responding to text messages just moments before police believe she was attacked.
The former Tory minister had been preparing to appear remotely as a guest on Channel 5's Matt Allwright show when she suddenly stopped responding to a producer, according to ITV News. WhatsApp exchanges seen by the broadcaster show the last message from Ms Widdecombe came at 12:19pm, reading: “Received! Panic over!!”
The texts show Ms Widdecombe read a 12:19pm reply suggesting that she message again if she had any issues, but did not open a further message timestamped 12:48pm asking her to join a Zoom meeting.
Five minutes later the chat show’s producer tried to call her, followed by a delivered but unread message asking: “Hi Ann is everything okay?”
Two more voice calls went without answer at 1:05pm and 1:14pm.
Allwright said on his show at 1:27pm that Ms Widdecombe was supposed to appear as a guest but had not turned up.
In focus: Inside Ann Widdecombe’s quiet Dartmoor life – a world away from Westminster politics and celebrity culture
03:00 , Harriette Boucher
When the residents of Haytor Vale first heard police sirens on Thursday morning they assumed there had been an accident on the moors.
Surrounded by the imposing granite outcrops of Haytor and Hound Tor, scene of the haunting Sir Arthur Conan Doyle crime novel The Hound of the Baskervilles, villagers are far more accustomed to the warning signs that Dartmoor Search and Rescue are passing through than those of armed police vans.
Most people in the village never lock their doors and in a heatwave, even ground floor windows of the 25 or so mostly-detached, well-maintained houses in Haytor village are left open for days on end.
Like many residents, Ann Widdecombe moved to the beautiful village, with views for miles across to the Teign estuary, to get away from it all, setting herself up “for the rest of my days” in a bungalow she named ‘Widdecombe’s Rest’.
"A lot of people think it means rest, as in having a rest,” she once told an interviewer at local news site DevonLive with a trademark grin. “But what it actually means is the rest of Widdecombe’s life!”
Her bungalow, purchased for an estimated £600,000 in 2008, sits at a quiet crossroads at the top of the village surrounded by expansive well-kept lawns, with an outdoor swimming pool complete with slide at the back of the house, with she reportedly had built with the money she earned from her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing with Anton du Beke in 2010.
But despite living in a tiny community with just a handful of neighbours, the 78-year-old former Tory MP and prisons minister played a limited role in village life.
Read more:
Inside Ann Widdecombe’s quiet Dartmoor life – a world away from Westminster politics
Watch: Police issue update in Ann Widdecombe murder as suspect, 28, arrested
02:00 , Harriette Boucher
Sunday papers lead on Widdecombe murder
01:00 , Harriette Boucher
In pictures: Reform members lay wreaths near the home of Ann Widdecombe
Monday 13 July 2026 00:00 , Harriette Boucher
Sunday 12 July 2026 23:00 , Harriette Boucher
Police arrest made me 'feel quite sick', says neighbour
Sunday 12 July 2026 22:30 , Harriette Boucher
A neighbour of the address linked to to the Ann Widdecombe murder suspect said the arrest made them “feel quite sick”.
The arrest took place on Saturday evening and there were “loads of unmarked police cars and loads of people ran into the house,” the neighbour told The Telegraph.
“I feel quite sick to tell you the truth.”
Another neighbour toldThe Times: “It was quite quiet, really.
“There was no commotion. Everyone was watching the England [World Cup] game, so I think the whole thing passed people by.”
There was a substantial police presence at the property in Byrley Road in the Kimberworth Park area of Rotherham on Sunday.
A South Yorkshire Police Tactical Support Group van was parked outside the house with at least two other marked vehicles, and forensics officers in white overalls were going in and out of the property.
Widdecome murder probe shows 'British policing at its very best'
Sunday 12 July 2026 21:30 , Harriette Boucher
Chief Constable James Vaughan has praised his force for its investigation into Ann Widecombe’s murder, saying it was “clearly British policing at its very best.”
Mr Vaughan, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said the force has “mounted an extraordinary response to a horrific murder of a very prominent public figure”.
“The operation has been running at a lightning pace for 48 hours,” he added.
“I am really pleased that we have a suspect firmly in custody and that will undergo some further work from us today.
“Well done to all – this is clearly British policing at its very best.”
