Former MP Ann Widdecombe Found Dead at Home
Former Conservative MP and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her remote Dartmoor bungalow on Thursday, July 11, 2026, with her body left undiscovered for approximately 24 hours. The 78-year-old was discovered in a pool of blood in her kitchen after police were called by the ambulance service at around 11:40am. She is believed to have been attacked at around 12:30pm the previous day.
Timeline of Events
Widdecombe was last seen during an interview for Talk TV at around 8am on Wednesday, July 10. She failed to appear on Channel 5's Matt Allwright show at 1pm that same day. A TV researcher sent her a message at 12:48pm requesting she join a Zoom call, but there was no reply, and her phone went unanswered. The alarm was not raised until the next morning when the ambulance service was called.
Arrests Made
Devon and Cornwall Police initially arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of murder, but he was released and is no longer a suspect. On Saturday, July 12, a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of Widdecombe's murder at an address in South Yorkshire, approximately 270 miles from her home. He remains in custody. Counter-terrorism police assisted in the arrest, but the force confirmed there is no indication the death is terrorism-related.
Police Investigation
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: 'Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined. Detectives continue to carry out numerous inquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.' He added that the investigation was 'moving at a significant pace' and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
Who Was Ann Widdecombe?
Widdecombe served as Conservative MP for Maidstone and Maidstone and the Weald from 1987 to 2010, holding ministerial roles in Sir John Major's government. After leaving the Commons, she appeared on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, reaching the semi-finals with partner Anton du Beke. She later joined Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and served as an MEP for South West England from 2019 to 2020. She remained active in media, appearing on TalkTV the day before her death.
Personal Life
Widdecombe had no children and was openly celibate. She once told The Times: 'I think that the brute truth is that I've enjoyed being alone. I love my own company. I'm the best company I know – I mean, I can make myself laugh uproariously.' Her next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
Public Appeal
Police have set up a major incident public portal for information, images, or footage to be submitted. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers. The family has asked for privacy as they come to terms with what has happened.
