Janine Jansen
Reporting from Haytor

Ann Widdecombe's long-time driver, Peter Horrall, has spoken with the BBC near the former Tory minister's home in Devon.

Horrall laid flowers near the home and told the BBC that he drove for her for about 10 years. "She was a great lady, very kind, a privilege to take in the car," he said.

He explained that he drove her long distances, including to Whitby and Leeds, and recalls dropping her off at the Apollo Theatre in west London when she appeared on Britain's Got Talent.

"I liked her because if you asked her a question, you'd get an answer - no mucking about," Horrall says.

He says he was "shocked" by the news and "just couldn't believe" what had happened.

Jacob Phillips
Live reporter

Image source, Reuters

Wednesday

• 8.05 BST - Ann Widdecombe appears on TalkTV to speak about her party's leader Nigel Farage
• 12:19 - A researcher from Matt Allwright's show on Channel 5 reportedly speaks to Widdecombe to set up a video interview from her home. Her last message was received at 12:19
• 12:48 - ITV reports the researcher messaged again, asking Widdecombe to join a Zoom link before the interview. She does not reply to any further messages

Thursday

• 11:40 - Devon and Cornwall Police officers were called by the ambulance service and found Widdecombe had serious injuries and had died

Friday

• At around 6:30- The BBC reports the announcement of Ann Widdecombe's death. A statement from her managing team does not have any information about when, how or where she had died and no detail to suggest her death was suspicious
• At around 15:44 - Police issue a statement saying they had launched a murder investigation
• At around 16:13 - Widdecombe's management team releases a second statement saying they are "absolutely devastated" by the news of the police investigation following a "very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours"
• At around 17:45 - Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman says at a press conference that a 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of murder

Saturday

• Shortly before 07:00 - Devon and Cornwall Police say the 26-year-old suspect has been released from custody and is no longer part of its investigation. Police remain at the scene and a manhunt is under way as the force says the investigation is "moving at a significant pace"

In Haytor, neighbours are remembering Ann Widdecombe.

Alison and Simon Gilbert tell PA news agency that the former Conservative minister was well known in the community.

Alison says she was a "nice woman, really nice woman, and she had a great sense of humour".

While others saw Widdecombe as an "opinionated politician", to locals in Haytor "she was just a person in the community," she adds.

"She didn't deserve to die like that," Simon adds.

Ann Widdecombe moved into her home in 2008 in Haytor on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon and renamed it Widdecombe's Rest.

It has a double meaning," she told BBC Devon at the time. "It means yes, I'm retiring. But it's also Widdecombe's Rest because it's the rest of my life."

The former MP for Maidstone in Kent said she was brought to the area as a child and would always walk in the Dartmoor National Park.

Her parents were born nearby, Widdecombe explained. Her mother was born in Plymouth while her father was born in the nearby town of Saltash.

A Haytor resident who lives near Ann Widdecombe's home has described how the area is "very safe" and it is not unusual for locals to leave their cars and front doors unlocked.

Christine Maloney tells the PA news agency that she is "very shocked" to her about Widdecombe's death.

"It shouldn’t have happened, it’s horrific," she says. “It’s very, very safe around here. I leave my car open, I leave my front door open – not now."

Image source, Getty Images

A cordon remains in place at Widdecombe's Rest - the name the former minister gave her Dartmoor home as a symbol of retirement.

Police presence is in place on the road outside the property and some flowers have been propped up against a "please drive slowly" sign nearby.

Officers have been seen moving in and out of the cordon after Devon and Cornwall's Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said that the murder inquiry is in its early stages but is "moving at a significant pace".

The BBC's Janine Jansen is reporting from outside Widdecombe's home in Haytor and you can see the latest from the scene by clicking watch live at the top of the page.

Jenna Moon
Live editor

Image source, Reuters

Police are continuing their murder investigation into the death of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe.

In an update, Devon and Cornwall police said early this morning that the 26-year-old suspect who was arrested on Friday has been released.

Widdecombe was found dead at her home on Thursday having suffered serious injuries.

If you're just joining us, here's a brief recap:

• A 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murdering Widdecombe has been released, Devon and Cornwall Police say
• He is "no longer part of the investigation" into the former MPs death
• Police say their investigation is "moving at a significant pace" - our local reporters say there is still a significant police presence in Haytor, the village on Dartmoor where Widdecombe lived
• Former colleagues have remembered the former MP as "fun" and "feisty"

We'll continue to monitor updates throughout the day, stay with us.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, former Tory MP Edwina Currie said she was "absolutely devastated" by the news of Ann Widdecombe's death.

She recalled Widdecombe as "admirable", adding "they don't make them like that anymore".

Currie stressed that while the two weren't friends - because "Ann didn't want to have friends in politics 40 years ago" - she thought it would've been "lovely" to have a closer relationship with the late politician.

She said that "underneath her hard shell she was a very calm woman", and remembered Widdecombe as "articulate and funny".

Ann Widdecombe converted to Catholicism in the 1990s and often sparked controversy during her parliamentary career due to her socially conservative views, including opposing abortion and comments about the LGBT community.

In 2019, the former minister received backlash after suggesting science might one day "produce an answer" to being gay.

She was also criticised while she was a Brexit Party MEP for comparing the UK leaving the EU to "slaves" rising up "against their owners".

Widdecombe left Parliament after serving as an MP for 23 years, and rather unexpectedly waltzed into show business.

She became an unlikely star of Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 before later starring in Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

She quickly became a favourite with viewers on Strictly despite one judge comparing her to a "Dalek in drag". Despite her low scores Widdecombe lasted until the ninth week of the competition and is remembered by fans of the show for her dramatic spins, lifts and entering the ballroom while suspended in the air.

Although she described her dancing as "elephantine," Widdecombe said her time on the show was "magnificent" and "life-enhancing".

Image source, PA Media

Broadcaster and former MP Gyles Brandreth remembers Widdecombe as a "formidable debater".

The two met at Oxford University in 1967 and remained friends. Brandreth tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme that she was "fun" and "feisty even then".

"What was great about Ann is you could disagree with her - and I disagreed with her on so many issues, more and more as the years went by," he says. "She enjoyed a good roustabout and then it was over and you would go to the bar, have a drink and have a laugh about it."

The broadcaster also says Widdecombe had "very clear, firm views" but did not carry them over into her private life and was "not judgemental in any sense at all".

Image source, Reuters

Ann Widdecombe's 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 from 1994 to 1997.

Politicians have paid tribute to Widdecombe, and reacted to the murder investigation:

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said "this is really shocking news" and said he had spoken to the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK's Nigel Farage, as well as Andy Burnham, "to urge everybody to come together".

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was "stunned" and "really struggled to find the words". She added: "My heart is breaking for her family."

Andy Burnham sent his condolences to Widdecombe's family, and said: "Ann gave a lifetime of public service".

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was "deeply saddened" and called the circumstances of her death "extremely distressing". "I urge everyone to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress," she added.

We are yet to hear any reaction to the news that a suspect in the murder investigation has been released from custody.

Ann Widdecombe had been due to appear on a current affairs programme on Channel 5 on Wednesday afternoon, according to reports.

In a post on X, Channel 5 presenter Dan Walker says that Widdecombe had been due to appear on 5 Daytime on Wednesday afternoon "but stopped responding to messages and didn't turn up for the show".

He adds: "The team contacted her agent to ask them to check in on her. This information has been passed to police as it's part of the investigation."

ITV reports that Widdecombe had exchanged messages with a researcher from the show but did not respond when they tried to contact her to join a Zoom call from her home.

We can now bring you some images of the scene outside Ann Widdecombe's home in Haytor, Devon.

A police presence remains and a cordon is still in place after a murder investigation was launched on Thursday.

Janine Jansen
Reporting from Haytor

I'm outside Ann Widdecombe's house.

About half an hour ago, Devon and Cornwall police shared their statement that a 26-year-old man had been released and is no longer part of the investigation.

This time yesterday morning, we were waking up to the news she had died. Later that afternoon, police revealed it was a murder investigation.

There is a large police presence here, the cordon is still up and forensic evidence is still being gathered.

Police are asking for people to come forward with any information they have.

It's thoroughly shocking here in the small village of Haytor on the edge of Dartmoor.

Jacob Phillips
Live reporter

A 26-year-old man who was arrested on Friday on suspicion of murdering former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe has been released and is no longer part of the investigation, police say.

The 78-year-old was found dead in her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday - here's a reminder of what we know so far:

Death announced: Widdecombe's death was first announced on Friday morning by her management team, but there was no information about when, how or where she died, and no detail on any suspicious circumstances.

Serious injuries: Devon and Cornwall Police said the 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman had been found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, a village on Dartmoor at around 11:40 BST on Thursday.

Murder investigation: But later on Friday afternoon, police issued a statement saying they had launched a murder investigation and released details of a suspect.

Arrest: The force's Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told a press conference on Friday that a 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of murder.

Not terror-related: Longman also explained there was "no information that this is a politically motivated crime" and also confirmed the incident was not being treated as terror-related.

"Absolutely devastated": Widdecombe's management team then released another statement, saying they were "absolutely devastated" by news of the police investigation.

Suspect released: Devon and Cornwall Police said on Saturday morning that the suspect has since been released from custody and is no longer part of the investigation.

Stay with us for the latest updates throughout the day - and you can read more in our full story on what we know.

Chris Mason
Political editor

Image source, Getty Images

Ann Widdecombe was an extraordinary character.

Sure, people would have strong views about her strong views, of course – those strongly in agreement and strongly in disagreement.

When I presented Any Questions on Radio 4, which alongside the job I do now was the biggest privilege I have ever had professionally, she was one of my favourite panellists.

Few of her words would wash over anyone – they would splash a listener in the face and demand a reaction.

Ann Widdecombe was pugnacious, charismatic, barbed and yes, had a sense of silliness too.

Widdecombe revelled in debate, even, perhaps particularly, when articulating positions as a lifelong social conservative that were no longer fashionable to many. There were too her views that wouldn't even curry favour with all those in her own party.

Let's be clear – some of her views were regarded by some as deeply offensive.

It is for you as a reader to come to your own view about her views.

What I can tell you is that plenty who knew her, whether they agreed with her or not, found her immensely likeable.

• Read more in my full piece on Ann Widdecombe

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman adds that there will be a significant police presence in the area while detectives and officers carry out house-to-house and CCTV enquiries.

"This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe at this difficult time.

“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."

We can now bring you comments from Devon and Cornwall Police's latest statement.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman says: “Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined.

“Detectives continue to carry out numerous enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”

He adds: "Detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation and are conducting extensive enquiries into the circumstances surrounding Miss Widdecombe’s death.

“A cordon remains in place at the property while specialist officers continue forensic examinations. There are road closures in place around the scene."

A 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murdering former MP Ann Widdecombe has since been released from custody and is no longer part of the police investigation, Devon and Cornwall Police say.

The force said on Friday that the man, a white British national, had been arrested at an address in Newton Abbot, Devon.

The body of the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson was found with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, a rural village on Dartmoor in Devon, at about 11:40 BST on Thursday.