UK Police have launched an investigation into the death of former British MP, Ann Widdecombe, who died aged 78.
Ann Widdecombe who served as a Conservative MP from 1987 to 2010, for the Kent constituency of Maidstone, later Maidstone and the Weald, later became a member of the Brexit party in 2019, and served as an MEP, where she represented South West, England from 2019 to 2020. She was also a member of their successor, Reform UK.
Widdecombe had appeared on Talk radio on Wednesday, and lived in Haytor Vale, within Dartmoor National Park.
At around 11.40am yesterday morning, an ambulance team found Widdecombe's body with "serious injuries" , with police later confirming that officers were searching for a "white male" in connection with her death, according to The Guardian.
Since then, an investigation has been launched by the Force Major Crime Investigation, with extensive enquiries being conducted into the circumstances surrounding Ann Widdecombe's death. The Force have said that a significant police presence could be seen in the area, including detectives and officers conducting house-to-house and CCTV inquiries.
DCI Ilona Rosson 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", (quotes according to The Guardian).
“Our murder inquiry 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", the Inspector said. “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".
DCI Rosson also added that the aim of extra police presence is to reassure local residents and anyone with concerns that they can approach officers.
“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", she said.
Paying tribute to Widdecombe following her death, the home secretary called the circumstances "extremely distressing", and called on the public to refrain from any idle speculation over her death.
I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe. The circumstances of her death are extremely distressing and my thoughts are with Ann's family and loved ones.
Ann's dedication to public service was decades long, and she was a true servant of her constituents.
I…
— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) July 10, 2026
Elsewhere, Ann Widdecombe's representatives, Cloud9 Management said in a statement: “We are absolutely devastated by this news following a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours".
They added: “She loved the cut and thrust of political debate and, 16 years after leaving parliament, was still actively campaigning for Reform UK and offering forthright views on the hot topics of the day across numerous radio and television programmes".
“Ann was a valued patron of many causes, particularly her animal charities. As Ann once said on The Graham Norton Show: ‘We get one go this side of eternity, one go. Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it, that’s my philosophy".
