Overview
- Widdecombe, 78, was discovered dead at her Haytor residence and police opened a homicide investigation after emergency responders attended the property on Thursday.
- Devon and Cornwall Police arrested a 26-year-old man in Newton Abbot on suspicion of murder in the hours after the discovery.
- Some outlets later reported that the 26-year-old was released for lack of evidence but police say enquiries are ongoing and have not confirmed a final suspect status.
- Investigators have sealed the scene for forensic searches and explicitly told the public there is currently no information linking the killing to politics or terrorism.
- Widdecombe was a high-profile former Conservative minister, MEP and television personality and senior politicians have expressed shock and offered condolences while security reviews and support for colleagues continue.