The Reform UK spokeswoman was in touch with researchers from Channel 5 ahead of a scheduled appearance which never materialised.
Ann Widdecombe sent a message to a TV researcher just 11 minutes before she police believe suspect she was murdered in her own home. Devon and Cornwall Police said they believe the attack took place on Wednesday, July 8 at around 12.30pm and said enquiries are “moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male”.
The ex-Tory prisons minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday at around 11.40am. Just 24 hours earlier Ann, who was 78 years old and only 5’1″, was exchanging messages with a researcher from Channel 5 about an appearance on the Matt Allwright show at 1pm on Wednesday. She was last seen alive on a remote interview on Talk TV at around 8am the same day.
The researcher received what would be a last message from Ann, a former Conservative MP and Brexit Party MEP, at 12.19pm. When she messaged Ann at around 12.48pm to make sure she could join a Zoom link for her appearance at 1pm, there was no reply.
If detectives are correct, it would mean Ann could have been alive for just 11 minutes after the last text she sent at 12.19pm and the time police believe she was attacked. No detail of how she received her injuries has been released, but it is reported she was found covered in blood and with injuries to her head.
Devon and Cornwall Police said today (Saturday) it is believed Miss Widdecombe was attacked on Wednesday at around 12.30pm. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said her death is being treated as suspicious but added: “We do not believe there is a wider risk to the public.”
He said: “Our inquiries are moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male.”
Miss Widdecombe, who was 78, was first elected a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, went on to serve as an MEP for the Brexit Party and then a spokeswoman for Reform UK.
She also found fame outside politics after starring in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother. A 26-year-old white British man who was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Miss Widdecombe on Friday was released from custody on Saturday.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, Mr Longman said: “I want to start with expressing my thanks to the local community and to the people who have come forward so far with their information.
“We have been working at pace on this investigation.
“Officers are making progress and are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.
“At this time, we have made the active decision not to release further information, including descriptions of any potential suspects or releasing CCTV footage.
“Releasing such information prematurely could compromise ongoing inquiries and may prejudice future investigative opportunities.”
