Armed police hammered on a door in a nondescript terraced house nearly 300 miles away from the cottage where Ann Widdecombe was found dead just before the England game.
Police investigating the alleged murder of the former MP have said they ‘are not looking for anyone else’ after the 28-year-old man was arrested in Rotherham on Saturday night.
neighbors said the suspect was swarmed by armed police who hammered on his door. He answered, confirmed his name and was arrested.
They claimed he rarely left the house since his father died last year, with his rusty car so infrequently leaving the drive that moss grew on it.
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Courtney Foster, 25, told The Daily Mail: ‘We were in the kitchen and just saw the officers running up. Some were armed. Then they banged on the door very loudly.
‘They didn’t smash the door down because he opened it. They asked him his name, he confirmed it and they took him away.’
Her partner Rayed Astle, 26, said that he had become reclusive since his father died last December.
He said: ‘He was someone you’d have a conversation with but that changed after his dad died.
‘He became very quiet. He kept himself to himself and wouldn’t really speak to anyone.’
Ms Foster added: ‘He was always in the house and I don’t think he worked.’
‘His father died before Christmas and I think it affected him. He seemed to change because he became even more introverted.
‘You would barely see him – to the point where you’d presume the house was unoccupied.
‘Now and again you’d see the upstairs light on but that was it.’
One of the man’s brothers is believed to live in Devon, while a second brother and his mother are said to live locally.
Another resident, who asked not to be named, said: ‘The police came at about 9.10pm.
‘There were about a dozen officers armed with guns, both in the front garden and the back garden.
‘It was quite quiet, really. There was no commotion. Everyone was watching the England game, so I think the whole thing passed people by.
‘It was very quiet how they turned up. There were no lights, no noise – our Ring doorbell didn’t even go off.’
(Picture: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Miss Widdecombe, 78, was found suffering fatal injuries inside her remote Dartmoor home when she stopped answering text messages and didn’t join a scheduled interview on Thursday.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also visited the village to pay tribute to Miss Widdecombe.
He told reporters that the party has been going through its emails to check for patterns of abuse directed at Miss Widdecombe, but has not been able to find anything.
Reform’s MPs are now being given 24-hour security protection following her death, it has been reported.
ITV News has published a series of WhatsApp images which appear to show that Miss Widdecombe stopped responding to messages from a TV producer after the approximate time police believe the attack took place on Wednesday.
A group of around 40 mourners, including senior Reform figures, gathered in Haytor Vale to pay tribute to Miss Widdecombe on Sunday afternoon.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice told reporters he last spoke to Miss Widdecombe on Monday and said he ‘nearly fell over with shock and horror’ when he heard of her death.
He told the crowd: ‘We have lost an absolute colossus, a legend in all our lifetime.
‘Ann Widdecombe was unique, she was adored by millions, she was treasured by millions… She was a remarkable, remarkable figure.’
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said a 28-year-old white British man was arrested on suspicion of murder in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, shortly after 9pm on Saturday with the support of Counter Terrorism Police.
He told reporters on Sunday: ‘At this point, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident and at this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this murder.
‘At this stage, there is nothing to suggest that it was politically motivated.’
(Picture REUTERS)
He said detectives ‘remain open-minded about the potential motive’ and stressed it is not believed there is any threat to the wider public.
He added: ‘We are aware of online and public speculation, particularly with regards to motive.
‘Again, I urge people not to share or engage with that speculation – it’s unhelpful, it doesn’t aid our investigation, and particularly, it’s distressing to the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe.’
Miss Widdecombe, who was 78, was first elected a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, went on to serve as an MEP for the Brexit Party and then a spokeswoman for Reform UK.
She also found fame outside politics after starring in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
Timeline of Ann Widdecombe’s death
Ann Widdecombe’s death announced
Former Conservative politician Ann Widdecombe’s death was announced by her management on the morning of Friday, July 10.
Their statement read: ‘It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.
‘We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends. We ask that the family’s wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected.’
Murder probe launched
Then, on Friday evening, it was confirmed that an investigation had been launched into possible foul play after the ex-MP’s body was found ‘covered in blood from sustaining a serious head wound’ at her Dartmoor home in Devon on Thursday.
Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement: ‘Police officers were called to an address at Haytor by the ambulance service at around 11:40am on Thursday, 9 July.
‘Sadly, 78-year-old Miss Widdecombe was located deceased within the property. She had sustained serious injuries.
‘Her next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
‘Detectives from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation and are conducting extensive enquiries into the circumstances surrounding Miss Widdecombe’s death.’
A manhunt for a white male was launched as the investigation began moving at a ‘significant pace’.
Arrest made
During a media conference on Friday evening, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman confirmed that a 26-year-old male suspect, a white British national, is now in custody after being arrested at an address in Newton Abbot, a short drive away from Widdecombe’s residence.
He added in an evening press conference that while police presence is heightened in the area where Widdecombe lived and while the force has ‘consulted counter-terrorism policing’, the death of the ex-Strictly star is not being treated as terror-related.
Too early to comment on motive
Longman explained that investigators remain ‘open-minded’, but it is ‘too early to comment further’ on whether the suspect was known to the victim.
Asked whether the incident could have had political motivations, he repeated his prior response, adding: ‘At this time, I have got no information to believe that that is a politically motivated crime.’
Similarly, outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it is vital to ‘rise above any political differences’.
Asked whether he believes Widdecombe’s possible murder could have been politically motivated, he responded: ‘It’s really important we remain vigilant. I’m not going to speculate about this particular case.’
Widdecombe’s management speaks out
Following the news of the murder investigation, Cloud9 Management said they are ‘absolutely devastated’ after ‘a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours’.
‘We fully support the police in their investigations, and we reiterate the family’s desire not to be contacted at this difficult time. We implore anyone who may have relevant information to contact Devon and Cornwall Police.’
Local community ‘devastated’
Susan Coysh, Widdecombe’s neighbor, told the BBC: ‘I’m shocked. In this lovely setting where we live…’
‘I can’t see why anybody would want to hurt her… it hasn’t sunk in yet, actually,’ she said, describing Widdecombe as ‘a character and a lovely lady’.
She last saw Widdecombe at a petrol station 10 days ago. While ‘approachable’, she typically ‘kept to herself’.
Other neighbors said that Widdecombe had withdrawn from the local community in recent years.
Man seen arriving ‘in middle of the night’
Next door neighbor Peter Cornthwaite said Widdecombe was not known to have security or a secure garden at her home, called Widdecombe’s Rest. He referred to the area as ‘very quiet’, telling The Sun there is little crime.
He added that he saw a van arrive in the early hours of the morning on the day Widdecombe died.
The white man was dressed in hiking clothes.
Suspect released
The 26-year-old man arrested on Friday was released from custody on Saturday morning. Police confirmed he is no longer part of the investigation.
As the manhunt continues, Mr Longman said: ‘Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined.’
Fresh details emerge
It has come to light that Widdecombe was attacked 24 hours before she was found, officers believe.
Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘We believe the attack took place on Wednesday, 8 July, at around 12:30pm.
‘Our enquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.’
Their theory ties in with the revelation that Widdecombe stopped responding to text messages at 12:19pm.
She had been due to appear via Zoom on a Channel 5 show but did not show. One producer repeatedly messaged her, asking if she was ‘OK’ and trying to call her, but the WhatsApps went unopened and unanswered.
Second suspect arrested after release of 26-year-old
A second suspect, a 28-year-old British national, is arrested on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Friday evening, July 11.
Police provide an update on the investigation
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman confirmed that the force is not looking for a second suspect, and there is no risk to the wider public.
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