A 26-year-old man arrested in connection with the murder of former British MP Ann Widdecombe was released from police custody early Saturday. Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the release, stating the individual detained in Newton Abbot on Friday is no longer considered a suspect in the ongoing investigation.
The sudden killing of the 78-year-old socially conservative politician has prompted widespread reactions across the UK political spectrum. Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the public to set aside political differences and assist the authorities. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch described the incident as a horrific attack on an elderly person.
Widdecombe was discovered with serious injuries by an ambulance crew at her 1970s bungalow in Haytor, Devon, located within the Dartmoor National Park, at 11:40 a.m. on Thursday. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said the investigation is moving at a significant pace, with detectives carrying out numerous inquiries to establish the circumstances of her death.
Despite Widdecombe’s high-profile background, authorities are not currently treating the incident as terror-related. Following routine consultations with counter-terrorism officers, police indicated there is no information to suggest the killing was politically motivated. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage remarked that the tragedy shows life for politicians in Britain has become increasingly dangerous.