Update(s)
- July 13th, 2026, 7:05 PM UTC Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the suspect was not known to the government's Prevent anti-terror scheme.
- July 13th, 2026, 7:04 PM UTC Counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe after "new information and evidence" came to light, officers have said.
- July 13th, 2026, 4:25 AM UTC The force said no further information was to be issued until Monday.
- July 12th, 2026, 6:33 AM UTC Late on Saturday, a Police statement said: “The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody. Miss Widdecombe’s family have been informed of this development. We were supported by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police who carried out the arrest on behalf of Devon & Cornwall Police. At this time, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident and as a force we retain primacy of the investigation.” The force said no further information was to be issued until Sunday.
Ann Widdecombe, the 78-year-old former Conservative minister, was found with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, Devon at 11:40 BST on Thursday.
Devon and Cornwall Police said they believe the attack took place on Wednesday at around 12:30 BST.
After releasing one suspect without any further interest, the Police have now made a new arrest of a 28yr old man in North Yorkshire, said to also be white/British.
Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years, holding ministerial roles in Sir John Major's government between 1994 and 1997.
