{"id":8407,"date":"2026-07-10T15:01:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T15:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/ann-widdecombe-murder-probe-police-launch-investigation-after-ex-tory-mp-found-dead-in-devon-home\/"},"modified":"2026-07-10T15:01:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T15:01:12","slug":"ann-widdecombe-murder-probe-police-launch-investigation-after-ex-tory-mp-found-dead-in-devon-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/ann-widdecombe-murder-probe-police-launch-investigation-after-ex-tory-mp-found-dead-in-devon-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Ann Widdecombe murder probe: Police launch investigation after ex-Tory MP found dead in Devon home"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\">\n<nav class=\"Breadcrumb_breadcrumb-nav__xTgNR\"\/>\n<header class=\"LiveEventHero_hero___O_gh\">\n<div class=\"LiveEventHero_poster__KyKxw\">\n<div><picture class=\"LiveEventHeroPoster_poster-image__69Np4\"><source media=\"only screen and (min-width: 728px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36581888.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200\/4_WhatsApp-Image-2025-03-12-at-161007_resultjpeg.jpg\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 728px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36581888.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615d\/4_WhatsApp-Image-2025-03-12-at-161007_resultjpeg.jpg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36581888.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615d\/4_WhatsApp-Image-2025-03-12-at-161007_resultjpeg.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"LiveEventHero_content__owQBq\" data-testid=\"content-container\">\n<p><label data-testid=\"label\" class=\"Label_label__pFaDj \"><span data-testid=\"label-text\" class=\"Label_text__tRLWj\">LIVE<\/span><span class=\"Blinker_blinker__5zwbZ Blinker_default__Tx2bx\" style=\"animation-iteration-count:3\" data-testid=\"blinker\"\/><\/label><time class=\"LiveEventHero_updated-date__g7q6h\" datetime=\"2026-07-10T14:59:44.000Z\">Updated 4 mins ago<\/time><\/p>\n<p><h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_3d5bec\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Devon and Cornwall Police are probing the circumstances surrounding Ann Widdecombe&#8217;s death, after she was discovered dead at her home in Dartmoor<\/h2>\n<figcaption><span><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" data-testid=\"icon-camera\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_11032_234208)\"><path opacity=\"0.16\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M21 6H3V16C3 17.1046 3.89543 18 5 18H19C20.1046 18 21 17.1046 21 16V6ZM12 15C13.6569 15 15 13.6569 15 12C15 10.3431 13.6569 9 12 9C10.3431 9 9 10.3431 9 12C9 13.6569 10.3431 15 12 15Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><path d=\"M17 2L19 2M3 5H21V17C21 18.1046 20.1046 19 19 19H5C3.89543 19 3 18.1046 3 17V5ZM15 12C15 13.6569 13.6569 15 12 15C10.3431 15 9 13.6569 9 12C9 10.3431 10.3431 9 12 9C13.6569 9 15 10.3431 15 12Z\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/g><defs><clippath id=\"clip0_11032_234208\"><rect width=\"24\" height=\"24\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/clippath><\/defs><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"ImageEmbed_caption-credit__uNiU6\">(<!-- -->Image:<!-- --> <!-- -->DevonLive<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\" tabindex=\"0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div tabindex=\"0\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Police are investigating Ann Widdecombe&#8217;s death and are set to provide a press briefing on the former Tory, Brexit Party and Reform politician, it is understood.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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: &#8220;It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;We send our deepest condolences to Ann&#8217;s family and friends. We ask that the family&#8217;s wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Detectives from Devon and Cornwall Police were now investigating the death, with a public statement expected at Police Headquarters, Middlemoor, Exeter later today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span aria-live=\"polite\" aria-busy=\"true\"><span class=\"react-loading-skeleton\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;--base-color:#88888810;--highlight-color:#8888880d\">\u200c<\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"LiveEventFeed_section-entries__jcAex\">\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntries_live-event-entries__Ngiav\" id=\"entries-section\">\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_post-entry__RK5sv\" id=\"entry919444\">\n<p><time tabindex=\"0\" class=\"TimeStamp_timestamp__3b4ZH\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-07-10T14:51:25.000Z\"><span class=\"TimeStamp_date__JPpo0\">Today<\/span><span class=\"TimeStamp_time__qs6GG\">15:51 BST<\/span><\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_posts__WbXZm false\">\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_post-body__7cD59 \"><span tabindex=\"0\" class=\"LiveEventEntry_headline__XAOgg __className_9aada9\">Coroner&#8217;s office confirms &#8216;preliminary inquiries&#8217; are ongoing<\/span><\/p>\n<div tabindex=\"0\" class=\"LiveEventEntry_event-summary__vmFZr __className_9aada9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A spokesman for the coroner\u2019s office for the county of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay said: \u201cPreliminary inquiries are ongoing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_post-entry__RK5sv\" id=\"entry919443\">\n<p><time tabindex=\"0\" class=\"TimeStamp_timestamp__3b4ZH\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-07-10T14:50:46.000Z\"><span class=\"TimeStamp_date__JPpo0\">Today<\/span><span class=\"TimeStamp_time__qs6GG\">15:50 BST<\/span><\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_posts__WbXZm false\">\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_post-body__7cD59 \"><span tabindex=\"0\" class=\"LiveEventEntry_headline__XAOgg __className_9aada9\">Home Secretary says circumstances of Widdecombe&#8217;s death &#8216;extremely distressing&#8217;<\/span><\/p>\n<div tabindex=\"0\" class=\"LiveEventEntry_event-summary__vmFZr __className_9aada9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the circumstances around former MP Ann Widdecombe\u2019s death are \u201cextremely distressing\u201d, adding: \u201cMy thoughts are with Ann\u2019s family and loved ones\u201d.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37369222\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37369222\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37369222.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Justice-Secretary-Gives-Speech-On-The-Future-Of-The-Probation-Service.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37369222.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Justice-Secretary-Gives-Speech-On-The-Future-Of-The-Probation-Service.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37369222.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Justice-Secretary-Gives-Speech-On-The-Future-Of-The-Probation-Service.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37369222.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Justice-Secretary-Gives-Speech-On-The-Future-Of-The-Probation-Service.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\"><cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_post-entry__RK5sv\" id=\"entry919442\">\n<p><time tabindex=\"0\" class=\"TimeStamp_timestamp__3b4ZH\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-07-10T14:48:43.000Z\"><span class=\"TimeStamp_date__JPpo0\">Today<\/span><span class=\"TimeStamp_time__qs6GG\">15:48 BST<\/span><\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_posts__WbXZm LiveEventEntry_posts-thicker__dM6TX\">\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_post-body__7cD59 \"><span tabindex=\"0\" class=\"LiveEventEntry_headline__XAOgg __className_9aada9\">Police confirm investigation has been launched<\/span><\/p>\n<div tabindex=\"0\" class=\"LiveEventEntry_event-summary__vmFZr __className_9aada9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_post-entry__RK5sv\" id=\"entry919439\">\n<p><time tabindex=\"0\" class=\"TimeStamp_timestamp__3b4ZH\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-07-10T14:45:59.000Z\"><span class=\"TimeStamp_date__JPpo0\">Today<\/span><span class=\"TimeStamp_time__qs6GG\">15:45 BST<\/span><\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_posts__WbXZm false\">\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_post-body__7cD59 \"><span tabindex=\"0\" class=\"LiveEventEntry_headline__XAOgg __className_9aada9\">Ann Widdecombe agent does not comment on investigation<\/span><\/p>\n<div tabindex=\"0\" class=\"LiveEventEntry_event-summary__vmFZr __className_9aada9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ann Widdecombe&#8217;s agent has not commented on reports that police are investigating the circumstances of her death.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_post-entry__RK5sv\" id=\"entry919436\">\n<p><time tabindex=\"0\" class=\"TimeStamp_timestamp__3b4ZH\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-07-10T14:42:41.000Z\"><span class=\"TimeStamp_date__JPpo0\">Today<\/span><span class=\"TimeStamp_time__qs6GG\">15:42 BST<\/span><\/time><\/p>\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_posts__WbXZm false\">\n<div class=\"LiveEventEntry_post-body__7cD59 \"><span tabindex=\"0\" class=\"LiveEventEntry_headline__XAOgg __className_9aada9\">Police set to deliver statement in conference<\/span><\/p>\n<div tabindex=\"0\" class=\"LiveEventEntry_event-summary__vmFZr __className_9aada9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section data-testid=\"social-follow\" class=\"SocialFollowBar_wrapper__h4k_D SocialFollowBar_left__oJoLE false LiveEventEntries_social-follow-bar__LRz0_\">Follow Daily Mirror:<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"RHRBlock_h-line__hVhY7\"\/>\n<aside class=\"RHRBlock_right-aside-wrapper__tM2wc\">\n<p><span aria-live=\"polite\" aria-busy=\"true\"><span class=\"react-loading-skeleton\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;--base-color:#88888810;--highlight-color:#8888880d\">\u200c<\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span aria-live=\"polite\" aria-busy=\"true\"><span class=\"react-loading-skeleton\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;--base-color:#88888810;--highlight-color:#8888880d\">\u200c<\/span><br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/politics\/ann-widdecombe-murder-police-live-37415691\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LIVEUpdated 4 mins ago Devon and Cornwall Police are probing the circumstances surrounding Ann Widdecombe&#8217;s<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4_WhatsApp-Image-2025-03-12-at-161007_resultjpeg.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8407\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}