Man arrested on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe’s murder is released

The body of Ann Widdecombe was found with serious injuries at her home in Devon. Photograph: Thomas Krych/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock View image in fullscreen The body of Ann Widdecombe was found with serious injuries at her home in Devon. Photograph: Thomas Krych/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Man arrested on suspicion of Ann Widdecombe’s murder is released The 26-year-old man is no longer part of the investigation, Devon and Cornwall police say A 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of the murder of the former MP Ann Widdecombe has been released from custody and is no longer part of the investigation, Devon and Cornwall police said early on Saturday. In a statement, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined. “Detectives continue to carry out numerous enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.” Widdecombe’s body was found with “serious injuries” by the ambulance service at her home in Haytor, Devon, at 11.40am on Thursday, Devon and Cornwall police said. Longman said the investigation was “moving at a significant pace”, adding: “We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened. “I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us. “We will release further information when we are able to do so. In the meantime, I would ask people not to speculate about what might have happened, particularly on social media. “This is not only potentially harmful to our investigation but also deeply distressing for family and friends of Miss Widdecombe. The family have also asked for their privacy to be respected as they come to terms with what has happened. On Friday, police said they were seeking a white male in connection with the death and later confirmed a 26-year-old white British national had been arrested at an address in Newton Abbot, less than 10 miles from Widdecombe’s home. At Friday’s press conference in Exeter, Longman said the force did not believe at this stage that the killing was politically motivated, and after an initial consultation with counter-terrorism officers, had ruled out a terrorist motive. Widdecombe, who appeared on TalkTV on Wednesday, lived in Haytor Vale, a village within the Dartmoor national park, in a 1970s bungalow named Widdecombe’s Rest. A plaque with the name of the property was positioned at the end of her drive. On Friday, political leaders across the spectrum expressed shock and horror at the alleged killing. Keir Starmer said it was important to “rise above any political differences” and focus on helping the police investigation. The prime minister said: “This is really shocking news, and my thoughts, I think all of our thoughts, will be with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe