Devon and Cornwall Police are probing the circumstances surrounding Ann Widdecombe’s death, after she was discovered dead at her home in Dartmoor
Police are investigating Ann Widdecombe’s death and are set to provide a press briefing on the former Tory, Brexit Party and Reform politician, it is understood.
The death of Widdecombe, a former minister, at 78 was announced this morning after she was found dead at her home in Dartmoor, without suggestion that she had died of anything other than natural causes. Her agent, confirming the death, said: “It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.
“We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends. We ask that the family’s wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected.”
Detectives from Devon and Cornwall Police were now investigating the death, with a public statement expected at Police Headquarters, Middlemoor, Exeter later today.
Ms Widdecombe, a longtime Tory who switched allegiance to the Brexit Party in 2019, and then to Reform UK, had lived alone in Haytor, since retiring as the MP for Maidstone and The Weald in 2010.
A spokesman for the coroner’s office for the county of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay said: “Preliminary inquiries are ongoing.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the circumstances around former MP Ann Widdecombe’s death are “extremely distressing”, adding: “My thoughts are with Ann’s family and loved ones”.
(Image: Getty Images)
A murder investigation has been launched following the suspicious death of former MP Ann Widdecombe at her home in Dartmoor, Devon and Cornwall Police confirm.
Ann Widdecombe’s agent has not commented on reports that police are investigating the circumstances of her death.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed it will hold a press briefing at Police Headquarters, Middlemoor, Exeter at 4.30pm. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman will provide a statement and take questions but will not be providing interviews, the force said.
