British Police Probe Death of Former Minister

British police arrested a 26-year-old man on Friday after launching a murder investigation into the death of former government minister Ann Widdecombe. Officers said there was no indication the killing was linked to terrorism or had a political motive.

Police said they were called to Widdecombe's home in Haytor Vale on the edge of Dartmoor, Devon, at about 11:40 a.m. local time on Thursday. She was found dead at the scene with serious injuries, and Devon and Cornwall Police opened a murder investigation the following day.

Widdecombe served as a Conservative member of Parliament from 1987 to 2010 and held several junior ministerial posts under former Prime Minister John Major.

After leaving Parliament, she became known for appearances on the television shows Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. She later joined the Brexit Party and served as a member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2020. In 2023, after the party became Reform UK, she served as its spokesperson on immigration and justice.

(Reuters, im)