British police arrested a young man on Friday on suspicion of murdering former minister and Reform Party politician Ann Widdecombe, 78, after her body was found with "serious injuries."

Police said a 26-year-old British man was arrested in the town of Newton Abbot, about 15 kilometers from Widdecombe's home in the rural southwest of England.

Matt Longman, assistant chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, said there were no indications the crime was linked to terrorism or had political motives.

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Widdecombe was known for her socially conservative views. She served as a Minister of State in the government of Conservative Prime Minister John Major between 1992 and 1997, before later joining the populist Reform Party led by Nigel Farage as a spokesperson on immigration and justice. She served as a Member of the European Parliament between 2019 and 2020.

Former British minister Ann Widdecombe outside the Old Bailey in London. April 13, 2022 - Reuters

Police said officers went to Widdecombe's home after receiving a report on Thursday afternoon, where she was found dead, adding that forensic examinations were ongoing inside the house.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised "Ann's dedication throughout her long years of public service."

Farage and Johnson pay tribute to Ann Widdecombe

After the announcement of her death, and before details of the murder investigation were revealed, her former colleagues from the Conservative and Reform UK parties paid tribute.

Farage said she "played a crucial role in completing Brexit."

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson described her as "a champion of Brexit, and a formidable speaker who could electrify Conservative Party audiences in a way that was hard to match."

Throughout her political career, Widdecombe was known for her outspokenness and socially conservative views, including her opposition to abortion.

She also defended a policy of restraining pregnant inmates during childbirth to prevent escape, considered single mothers a bad example, but was an exception among Conservative MPs in opposing fox hunting with dogs.