{"id":928102,"date":"2026-07-11T15:49:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T15:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/928102\/"},"modified":"2026-07-11T15:49:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T15:49:14","slug":"arrested-man-released-without-charges-in-death-of-ann-widdecombe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/928102\/","title":{"rendered":"Arrested Man Released Without Charges In Death Of Ann Widdecombe"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tUPDATE, Saturday July 11: <\/strong>British police have released the 26-year-old man arrested Friday in connection with the death of Ann Widdecombe<\/a>, the former Member of Parliament and frequent participant in British reality TV programs and news shows.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe man is no longer part of the investigation, law enforcement officials said.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cOur priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined,\u201d Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman of the Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement to the press. \u201cDetectives continue to carry out numerous inquiries as part of the ongoing investigation, and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tPREVIOUS, Friday July 10: <\/strong>Police in England said a 26-year-old man was arrested Friday on suspicion of murder in the death of Ann Widdecombe, a former British Member of Parliament and a familiar and polarizing presence on UK reality TV shows Strictly Come Dancing<\/a>, Celebrity Big Brother<\/a> and many others.<\/p>\n

\n\tWiddecombe\u2019s body was found Thursday with what officials describe as \u201cserious injuries\u201d at her home in Dartmoor, Devon, an area of South West England. She was known for her hard-right, pro-Brexit, anti-LGBTQ stances, but Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said her suspected killing was not believed to be an act of terrorism nor politically motivated. Police said the suspect is a white British national, but they did not identify him or a possible motive.<\/p>\n

\n\tPrime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement, \u201cThis is really shocking news, and my thoughts, I think all of our thoughts, will be with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this awful time for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tWiddecombe was a Conservative MP from 1987-2010 for the Kent constituency of Maidstone and became a member of the pro-Brexit Reform UK party from 2019 and served as a Member of the European Parliament in 2019 and 2020.<\/p>\n

\n\tHer outspoken right-wing conservatism made her a familiar and frequent presence on UK news programs, and she crossed over into mainstream entertainment fare by participating in such programs as Celebrity Fit Club, Have I Got News for You, quiz show Cleverdicks, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Big Brother and others. In 2007 she appeared as herself in an episode of Doctor Who.<\/p>\n

\n\tWiddecombe certainly was no stranger to controversy, even on the reality shows. In 2018 on Celebrity Big Brother she criticized Meghan Markle in terms that were widely interpreted as racist.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI think she\u2019s trouble,\u201d Widdecombe said in a conversation with a housemate about the future Duchess of Sussex. \u201cBackground \u2026 attitude, I worry. I add it all up and I\u2019m uneasy.\u201d The comments were featured in Netflix\u2019s 2022 docuseries Harry & Meghan.<\/p>\n

\n\tAnton Du Beke, Widdecombe\u2019s dance partner on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and now a show judge, posted a video on social media today calling her death the \u201csaddest of news.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI had the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing,\u201d Du Beke said. \u201cShe became a real friend, she was fun, she was upbeat, she was positive, she was supportive, she was game, wanted to enter into the spirit of the whole thing. We had an incredible time together.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThis is a sad day,\u201d he continued, \u201cand I\u2019m devastated by the news of Ann\u2019s passing but I shall remember her fondly and miss her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Hi my loves, the saddest of news today of the passing of the lovely Ann Widdecombe.
\u00a0
On behalf of myself and the whole @bbcstrictly<\/a> family, our thoughts go out to her nearest and dearest and her whole family.\u00a0
\u00a0
We will all remember her fondly and miss her.\u00a0
Anton x pic.twitter.com\/5kPPRrY7m2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Anton Du Beke (@TheAntonDuBeke) July 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n