LONDON (AP) — Police in England announced Friday that a murder investigation has been opened following the death of Ann Widdecombe, a former member of Parliament and reality television personality who was discovered dead inside her home in southwest England.
The 78-year-old, who previously served as a Conservative lawmaker and prisons minister, was found Thursday at her residence in Haytor, located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Devon and Cornwall Police stated that she had “sustained serious injuries” when she was discovered. Authorities said they are currently looking for a male suspect in connection with her death.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on the public to set aside political divisions and concentrate on bringing the perpetrator to justice. “This is really shocking news, and my thoughts, I think all of our thoughts, will be with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this awful time,” Starmer said. “Ann was a distinguished politician over many, many years with many achievements, and it’s a huge, huge loss.”
After stepping away from Parliament, Widdecombe gained widespread public recognition as a contestant on the reality television programs Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. She later aligned herself with the Brexit Party and took on a spokeswoman role for the anti-immigration Reform UK party.
Widdecombe held a seat in the House of Commons from 1987 to 2010 and was widely recognized for her socially conservative positions, including her opposition to abortion rights and the expansion of LGBTQ rights.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson remembered her as a “heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker who could move Tory audiences to such ecstasy that she was a very hard act to follow.”
The management company that handled her affairs following her departure from politics described her life and career as being rooted in strong Christian values and a dedication to public service. “She loved the cut and thrust of political debate and, 16 years after leaving Parliament, was still actively campaigning for Reform UK and offering forthright views on the hot topics of the day,” said Cloud9 Management.
The company also shared one of Widdecombe’s own words of philosophy: “We get one go this side of eternity, one go. Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it, that’s my philosophy.”
