A 28-year-old man has been arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe, Devon and Cornwall police announced. The suspect, described as a white British national, is currently in police custody. Widdecombe, a prominent former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson, was discovered with severe injuries at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday at 11:40 BST. Authorities believe the attack occurred nearly 24 hours prior to her discovery.

This latest arrest follows an earlier apprehension of a 26-year-old man in Newton Abbot, approximately 11 miles from Widdecombe's residence. That individual was later released and is no longer considered part of the ongoing investigation. The current suspect was apprehended at an address in South Yorkshire, a significant distance of roughly 270 miles from the victim's home.

Devon and Cornwall police confirmed they were assisted by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police in carrying out the arrest. Despite the initial involvement of counter-terrorism officers, police stated there is currently no indication that the incident is terrorism-related, with the local force retaining primacy of the investigation. Widdecombe's family has been informed of the developments.

The arrest marks a significant step in the investigation into the death of the former MP. A substantial police presence was maintained in the vicinity of Widdecombe's home over the weekend, with forensic teams observed at the property. The confirmation of Widdecombe's death came on Friday, shortly after which Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman commented on the initial counter-terrorism involvement.

Longman had previously stated that there was no information to suggest the death was politically motivated. He also explained the force's decision to withhold further details, including suspect descriptions or CCTV footage, to avoid compromising the active inquiry and potentially prejudicing future investigative opportunities.

Ann Widdecombe's career in public life was extensive. She served as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Maidstone from 1987 to 2010. Post-parliamentary career, she gained public attention through television appearances, including "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2010 and "Celebrity Big Brother" in 2018. She later joined the Brexit Party in 2019, serving as a Member of the European Parliament for South West England until 2020.

In 2023, Widdecombe became a member of Reform UK, taking on the role of the party's spokesperson for Immigration and Justice. Her public profile and political affiliations underscore the significant attention this case has garnered.

The investigation remains active, and police have indicated that no further information will be released at this time, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the inquiry.