Nigel Farage believes Ann Widdecombe’s ‘murder’ was ‘premeditated’ as police theories emerge

Nigel Farage has said he believes Ann Widdecombe’s alleged murder was ‘premeditated‘ as the investigation continues into her death.

Yesterday morning, representatives for the ex-Conservative politician announced her death at the age of 78, with tributes flooding in from former colleagues and TV stars.

It was later revealed that police were looking into ‘suspicious’ circumstances after Widdecombe was found with ‘serious head injuries’ at her home.

Then, on Friday evening, a 26-year-old man, a white British national, was arrested.

As the manhunt continues, Farage, 62, who worked with Widdecombe when she became a Brexit Party MEP and subsequently a Reform UK spokeswoman, has weighed in on police theories, one being that a burglary went wrong and led to her death at lunchtime on Wednesday.

Today, the Reform UK leader placed flowers at Dartmoor National Park in Widdecombe’s memory, following the revelation that she was likely killed 24 hours before her body was found in the kitchen by her carer. The carer was spoken to by officers at the scene.

Speaking at a memorial at the nearby Moorland Hotel in Newton Abbot, Farage began, as per The Sun: ‘One theory doing the rounds is that it was a burglary gone wrong.

‘But a car went onto the drive at approximately 12:25-12:30 on Wednesday.

‘She had done one interview in the morning… She was due to do another one at 1pm.’

‘So if you were a burglar, would you literally drive your car onto someone’s drive?’, he continued, believing that a motive was ‘there from the very start’.

Indeed, Widdecombe was scheduled to appear on Channel 5 that afternoon, with her final message coming from someone at Matt Allwright’s show, unable to reach her.

The researcher messaged Widdecombe again with a Zoom link for the 1pm call, but received no reply. The show’s team grew concerned by Widdecombe’s uncharacteristic lack of response, as she was a regular on the program.

Farage added that ‘from what [he] can see of it, from what [he] makes out, this was premeditated murder’, stating that the burglary theory makes ‘no sense’ to him.

‘Whether it was politically motivated, whether it was someone with a grudge. I don’t think it pays at this time to speculate.’

Authorities, plus Prime Minister Keir Starmer and opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, have discouraged the public from theorising, stressing the importance of ‘rising above political differences’ at this time.

Farage also said that Widdecombe’s death suggests the world is ‘much more dangerous than it’s ever been’ for public figures, especially those in politics.

‘Whatever the outcome of the motives of a killer, and let’s just hope and pray, this is not a Jill Dando type case where they don’t find a person,’ he remarked, referring to the fatal shooting of the Crimewatch journalist in 1999, prompting the biggest murder inquiry conducted by the Metropolitan Police.

‘I believe with modern technology, they will.’

Farage concluded by calling out the act of ‘barbarity’ against ‘a lady who wouldn’t harm a fly’.

‘I just hope that the killer is caught as quickly as possible and brought to justice; that’s all I can say.’

Farage himself has spoken to the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police twice, with the Reform Party doing its own analysis of potential threats and ‘abusive’ emails sent to or about Widdecombe in case there is a connection.

‘We will do anything we can to support the police,’ Farage declared.

His comments come as a heightened police presence remains outside Widdecombe’s bungalow, called Widdecombe’s Rest. Police are still asking anyone with information or CCTV to come forward.

They do not believe the incident is terror-related.

With an official cause of death yet to be released, Widdecombe’s next-of-kin are being supported by specially trained officers, the force has said.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman added in a statement this weekend: ‘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 said the investigation was ‘moving at a significant pace’: ‘We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what happened.

‘I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.’

Decisions to disclose additional details publicly are made on an ‘operational basis’, the force only wishing to do so when it is ‘appropriate and necessary’.

Meanwhile, Widdecombe’s local community is in shock, with neighbors explaining how ‘quiet’ and devoid of crime the area has always been.

Her immediate next-door neighbor, Peter Cornthwaite, recalled how Widdecombe did not have security or a secure garden at her home.

Susan Coyish added to The Sun that Widdecombe tended to keep to herself, but she was still ‘approachable’. Coyish last saw her 10 days ago at a petrol station.

Christine Maloney called the area ‘very safe’, too, admitting it wasn’t unusual for people to leave their cars and front doors unlocked.

It’s thought that Widdecombe ‘loved’ living in Haytor and ‘never mentioned any fear’ for her safety.