London, Jul 10 (PTI) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday led condemnations as the death of a 78-year-old former Conservative Party minister sent shockwaves in the UK, after the police announced a murder investigation and launched a hunt for a white male suspect.
Ann Widdecombe, an outspoken Brexiteer who later joined the Brexit Party to campaign for Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU), served as a member of Parliament for several years before stepping away from politics.
In 2023, she returned to join Nigel Farage led Reform UK and served as the far-right party’s immigration and justice spokesperson for a period.
“This is really shocking news,” Starmer said from 10 Downing Street in London.
“Ann was a distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements and it’s a huge loss.
“This is a moment where we rise above any political differences and political divide and say the single most important thing at the moment is that all of us and the public help the police identify the individual suspected and make sure he is arrested as quickly as possible,” he said.
The UK PM said the suspect at large is “clearly dangerous” and appealed for anyone with any information to assist with the police investigation.
“The circumstances of her death are extremely distressing and my thoughts are with Ann’s family and loved ones,” said UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
“Ann’s dedication to public service was decades long, and she was a true servant of her constituents.
“I have spoken to the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall police today. The Home Office stands ready to provide whatever support they need with their ongoing investigation. I urge everyone to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress,” she said.
Earlier, when the news of her death first emerged, several politicians paid tribute, including former prime minister Boris Johnson, who described her as a “heroic Brexiteer”.
Hours later, the Devon and Cornwall Police in a statement said that they had launched a murder investigation as her death at her home on Dartmoor in Devon, south-west England, on Thursday was being treated as “suspicious”.
Detectives from the force’s Major Crime Investigation Team are said to be conducting “extensive enquiries” into the circumstances surrounding the death as she was “discovered deceased” after having “sustained serious injuries”.
“Our murder enquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace. We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible who we believe to be a white male,” said Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson.
“We have an increased uniformed police presence in the area to both support the investigation and provide reassurance to residents. Anyone with concerns can speak with our officers at the scene,” said Rosson.
Her home was in a remote rural area close to the small village of Haytor Vale in Devon, where she is believed to have lived by herself. PTI AK GSP GSP
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