British police opened a murder investigation on Saturday after former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Devon, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident following the release of the only suspect in the case.

Widdecombe was found on Thursday morning inside her home in the Haytor area, located in Dartmoor National Park in Devon, suffering from serious injuries.

Police announced on Saturday that a 26-year-old white British man who had been arrested on suspicion of murder was subsequently released and is no longer part of the investigation, according to the BBC.

What happened?

Widdecombe was found with serious injuries at her home in the village of Haytor after police were called by the ambulance service around 11:40 a.m. local time (10:40 GMT) on Thursday.

Her management team had announced the news of her death on Friday morning without disclosing the time, place, or cause of death, or indicating any suspicious circumstances.

The statement read: "We know this news will come as a great shock to many colleagues and friends who have known her over the years."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and party member Ann Widdecombe during a Brexit vote, September 18, 2019 - Reuters

Later on Friday, Devon and Cornwall Police announced the opening of a murder investigation and revealed that a suspect had been arrested.

Widdecombe’s management team issued a second statement saying they were "deeply shocked and saddened" to learn of the murder investigation following an "extremely distressing 24 hours."

Police confirmed there are no indications the crime was politically motivated, nor is it being treated as a terrorist incident.

Her home remains under heavy security, with several police cars and a security van seen at the site.

What about the suspect?

On Friday, police arrested a 26-year-old white British man in the town of Newton Abbot, about 16 kilometers from Haytor, on suspicion of murdering Widdecombe.

However, Devon and Cornwall Police announced on Saturday morning that he had been released, confirming that he is no longer a suspect in the case.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman stated that the priority remains to "identify those responsible for the crime and ensure all available evidence is thoroughly examined."

He added that investigators are continuing to carry out a "large number of inquiries" to fully uncover the circumstances of the incident.

How have the reactions been?

Widdecombe’s political career spanned decades; she served as the MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and held the positions of Minister of State at the Home Office and the Department of Employment during John Major's government between 1994 and 1997.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the news of the murder investigation as "shocking," expressing his condolences to Widdecombe’s family.

Starmer said he had spoken with House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, as well as Andy Burnham, who is considered a potential successor to Starmer for the premiership.

Badenoch said she was "shocked" and "at a loss for words," adding, "My heart breaks for her family."

Andy Burnham also offered his condolences, noting that Widdecombe "dedicated her life to public service."

For her part, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper urged the public to avoid speculation and allow the police to continue their investigations, describing the circumstances of the death as "deeply distressing."

Who is Ann Widdecombe?

Ann Widdecombe was born in 1947 in the city of Bath, Somerset. She studied Latin at the University of Birmingham, then Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the University of Oxford.

After leaving Parliament, she turned to television work, participating in 'Strictly Come Dancing' in 2010 and then 'Celebrity Big Brother' in 2018.

Anton Du Beke, who was her partner on the show, said her death was "the saddest news," adding, "We shared an unforgettable experience together."

Widdecombe was a prominent supporter of Brexit and was elected as a Member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party between 2019 and 2020, representing South West England.

In 2023, she joined the Reform Party led by Nigel Farage following the rebranding of the Brexit Party, and emerged as a spokesperson for the party on issues of immigration and justice.