Police launch an investigation into Ann Widdecombe death

I have never read so many hate filled posts than ones I saw about Ann Widdecombe on X and Digital Spy. Yes she didn't agree with gay marriage, she was deeply religious, she held views that seemed outdated, but so do millions of other people. There is no way a 78 year old woman deserved to die in this way.

I'm sure we will get to know more as time goes on. Hopefully they will find the culprit soon.

I would not be quick to criticise the police. I am sure they acted in good faith and were continuing with investigations while this man was in custody. If suspicion fell on him then they had to act. What a mess it all is. A very nasty incident.

The announcement of her death was a shock but I'm stunned at this news .

Strange that this individual was arrested rather than just being questioned. I can only imagine that he ran from the police/resisted their attempts to question him, or initially confessed - and some people will do this to draw attention to themselves - and then was discovered to be a fantasist. I doubt that hard evidence was present or he would not have been released.
Whatever the case the police have lost precious time and the murderer could be long gone. Just hoping they can get the culprit soon for the sake of the family and those fearing that a cold blooded murderer is on the loose.

Yes ... he's been released. Very worrying that a violent person is on the loose.

MissAdventure

Certainly fast police work

There's already much criticism of the police here in Devon over their handling of this arrest.

I really hope they find the person fast. Such dreadful news. RIP

Thanks eazybee, and he is no longer part of the investigation..

Apparently the suspect has been released, news within the last few minutes.

The incident is not being treated as terrorism and there is "no information" to suggest it was politically motivated.

Not speculating but quoting the fact the vast majority of murders are committed by someone known to the victim. A very small minority are committed by strangers.

ferry23

Wyllow3

The incident is not being treated as terrorism or politically motivated, they add

some personal/family grudge....?

They also asked that people don't speculate.

I think it is important to have ruled out terrorism and political motivation actually and say so.

I hardly think it will disrupt the progress of the case if a gransnet poster ponders briefly, not erecting some grand theory.

Yes ... well done the police. I had been worrying about my sibling's safety and that of all the locals. A truly dreadful thing to happen. Many of us are women living alone ...

Certainly fast police work

She was a courageous woman, but small and elderly,easy to overwhelm.What an appalling thing to happen.

A 26 year old white male has been arrested.

It's shocking.

Just terrible. To think she lost her life in her own home in such a violent way is heartbreaking. May she RIP.

They've arrested a twenty six year old british national man.

Wyllow3

*The incident is not being treated as terrorism or politically motivated, they add*

some personal/family grudge....?

They also asked that people don't speculate.

The incident is not being treated as terrorism or politically motivated, they add

some personal/family grudge....?

The police have a 26 year old male in custody

Dreadful news, how awful for her.

Dreadful news. She spoke such sense when she was on Jeremy Vine. And of course she will always be remembered for her memorable stint on Strictly.

This has bought tears to my eyes.
Poor Anne she must have been so frightened and defenseless.
Breaks my heart to think this was the end of her life in such a violent way.😢😢😢

This is dreadful. Poor woman. I had wondered whether she had had a stroke or heart attack or a fall.