Ann Widdecombe Cause of Death Remains Unconfirmed as Murder Inquiry Continues

Police have not disclosed a specific medical cause of death for the former Conservative minister, who was found with serious injuries at her Devon home. A man arrested during the investigation has since been released.

The Ann Widdecombe cause of death has not been formally confirmed, although detectives are treating the former MP’s death as suspicious and have opened a murder investigation.

Devon and Cornwall Police said Widdecombe, 78, was found dead inside her home at Haytor on Dartmoor after officers were called by the ambulance service at about 11.40am on Thursday 9 July.

She had sustained serious injuries, but the force has not published a post-mortem finding or named a precise medical cause of death.

A 26-year-old man arrested in Newton Abbot on Friday on suspicion of murder was released from custody on Saturday 11 July.

Police said he was “no longer part of the investigation”, leaving detectives continuing their efforts to establish who was responsible and exactly what happened.

What Police Have Confirmed?

The Force Major Crime Investigation Team is conducting the inquiry, with forensic examinations continuing at Widdecombe’s property. Officers have also been carrying out house-to-house visits and reviewing CCTV footage from the Haytor area.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said the investigation remained at an early stage but was moving quickly. He said the force’s priority was identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence was examined.

Police previously said there was no information suggesting the death was connected to terrorism or politically motivated. Investigators were keeping an open mind about the motive and had not established whether the person responsible was known to Widdecombe.

The force has asked anyone who noticed suspicious activity around Haytor Vale, or who holds relevant doorbell, dashcam or CCTV footage, to contact officers. Information can be submitted through the police Major Incident Public Portal under Operation Hunlen, quoting reference 50260179119.

Police have also urged the public not to speculate, warning that unverified claims could damage the investigation and cause further distress to Widdecombe’s family and friends.

Former Minister Was a Prominent Westminster Figure

Although Widdecombe lived in Devon, she spent more than two decades at the centre of political life in Westminster. She entered Parliament in 1987 as Conservative MP for Maidstone, later Maidstone and the Weald, and remained in the Commons until 2010.

She served in John Major’s government, including as prisons minister, before becoming shadow health secretary and shadow home secretary. Widdecombe was known for her outspoken social conservatism, Euroscepticism and willingness to challenge colleagues within her own party.

She left the Conservatives in 2019 and joined the Brexit Party, winning election to the European Parliament for South West England. She later became associated with Reform UK and remained active in political campaigning and broadcast debate.

Outside politics, Widdecombe became familiar to a wider audience through television. She competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 with Anton Du Beke and reached the quarter-final, later appearing on programmes including Celebrity Big Brother.

Tributes have come from across Westminster. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described her as a “force of nature”, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called her a formidable politician who remained true to herself. Downing Street also paid tribute to her years of public service.

Detectives have said further information will be released when possible. Until police or a coroner publishes a formal finding, the exact Ann Widdecombe cause of death remains unconfirmed.