Ann Widdecombe death shocks UK as police launch murder hunt

London,UPDATED: Jul 10, 2026 21:52 IST

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday led condemnations after the death of former Conservative Party minister Ann Widdecombe, 78, sent shockwaves across the UK. Police later announced a murder investigation and said they were hunting for a white male suspect.

Starmer described the development as "really shocking news" and urged the public to help police identify and arrest the suspect. Widdecombe, an outspoken Brexiteer, had served for several years as a member of Parliament before stepping away from politics and later returning to public life with pro-Brexit parties.

"This is really shocking news," Starmer said from 10 Downing Street in London. "Ann was a distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements and it's a huge loss. This is a moment where we rise above any political differences and political divide and say the single most important thing at the moment is that all of us and the public help the police identify the individual suspected and make sure he is arrested as quickly as possible," he said.

The UK prime minister said the suspect at large was "clearly dangerous" and appealed to anyone with information to assist the police investigation.

Widdecombe had later joined the Brexit Party to campaign for Britain's exit from the European Union. In 2023, she returned to join Nigel Farage-led Reform UK and served for a period as the far-right party's immigration and justice spokesperson.

"The circumstances of her death are extremely distressing and my thoughts are with Ann's family and loved ones," said UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. "Ann's dedication to public service was decades long, and she was a true servant of her constituents. I have spoken to the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall police today. The Home Office stands ready to provide whatever support they need with their ongoing investigation. I urge everyone to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress," she said.

Earlier, when news of her death first emerged, several politicians paid tribute. Former prime minister Boris Johnson described her as a "heroic Brexiteer".

Hours later, Devon and Cornwall Police said they had launched a murder investigation, with her death at her home on Dartmoor in Devon in south-west England on Thursday being treated as "suspicious". Detectives from the force's Major Crime Investigation Team said they were carrying out "extensive enquiries" into the circumstances of her death after she was discovered dead with serious injuries.

"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," Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said. "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," she said.

Widdecombe's home was in a remote rural area near the small village of Haytor Vale in Devon, where she is believed to have lived alone. Her death has drawn tributes from across the political spectrum as police continue their murder investigation and search for the suspect.

With PTI Inputs

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