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UK police free suspect in ex-MP Ann Widdecombe murder investigation
Al Jazeera • • general
Key Points:
- A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering former British government minister Ann Widdecombe has been released and is no longer part of the investigation, police confirmed.
- Detectives revealed Widdecombe, 78, was attacked on Wednesday around 11:30 GMT, a day before her body was found at her rural southwest England home on Thursday.
- Police have found no evidence linking the killing to terrorism or political motives and stated there is no wider risk to the public.
- Widdecombe was known for her socially conservative views, having served as a junior minister under John Major and later as an immigration spokesperson for the far-right Reform UK party.
- Her death prompted tributes from across the UK political spectrum, including from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage, who praised her strong convictions and Christian faith.
