British police probing ex-politician's death release man from custody
Jul 12, 2026
London [UK], July 12: A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering former British lawmaker Ann Widdecombe has been released from custody and is no longer part of the investigation, police said on Saturday.
The ex-Tory prisons minister was found dead at her home in Dartmoor, south-western England, on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.
Widdecombe, who was 78, left the Conservative Party to join the Brexit Party, becoming an EU lawmaker, and subsequently a spokeswoman for the right-wing populist Reform UK party. She also found fame outside politics after starring in television competitions "Strictly Come Dancing" and "Celebrity Big Brother." On Saturday, Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the man's release from custody, following his arrest on Friday.
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 enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident." He said the investigation was "moving at a significant pace," adding: "We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened."
Source: Qatar Tribune
