Rachel Flynn
Live reporter

Image source, Reuters

This afternoon, police announced they had launched a murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe, 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman.

This is how the news unfolded:

Friday morning: Widdecombe's agent announced her death "with great shock and sadness", but did not say when, how or where she died.

Friday early afternoon:Devon and Cornwall Police said Widdecombe was found deceased at her home on Thursday morning with serious injuries, and they had launched a murder investigation into her death.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the media the investigation is "shocking news", adding that Widdecombe's death is a "significant loss".

Later in the afternoon: Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman announced that a 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday afternoon on suspicion of Widdecombe's murder, at an address in Newton Abbot - not far from Widdecombe's home in the Haytor area in Dartmoor.

What else do we know?

Police say the murder inquiry is in its early stages, but do not consider it a terrorist incident and say there is no information at this time to suggest it is politically motivated. They're appealing to the public for any relevant information.

Tributes have been pouring in - Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called her an "extraordinary" and "remarkable, principled woman", while her partner in Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, Anton Du Beke, said he was "devastated".

We're ending our live coverage here. For more, you can read about the investigation in our news story and here is everything we know so far.

Katie Amess, daughter of murdered Conservative MP David Amess, has paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe as "warm, principled and unwavering".

In a statement, she says she that "Ann was a loyal and longstanding friend to my father" and the Amess family "will always be grateful for the kindness, strength and dignity she showed in the most difficult moments of our lives".

Widdecombe's eulogy for David Amess, and "the compassion she offered" after his death, "reflected the very best of her character, warm, principled and unwavering in her support for those she cared about".

Katie Amess adds that "Ann's friendship meant a great deal to my father, and her words brought comfort to so many who loved him."

Image source, Getty Images

Broadcaster Ashley James, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother alongside Ann Widdecombe in 2018, says she is "absolutely devastated" in an Instagram post.

James says that she and Widdecombe "couldn't have been more different politically" and that they "clashed a lot" on the programme, but "she also had a profound impact on me" and "encouraged me to care less about pleasing everyone".

She adds that "disagreement didn't have to mean a lack of humanity" and remembers "such fond memories of doing [Widdecombe's] hair and makeup in the house".

In a later post, following the announcement of the police investigation, James says she is "absolutely devastated" and is "sending love to Ann's family and loved ones".

Image source, PA Media

Scottish First Minister John Swinney says that he is "very saddened" to hear about the death of Ann Widdecombe and the "awful circumstances in which this has happened".

"I extend my sympathy to her family, friends and many colleagues," he writes in a post on X.

Image source, Getty Images

Former PM Boris Johnson says "we need the facts as fast as we can" in an X post following news of the arrest and murder inquiry.

Linking to his earlier post made before the investigation was made public, where he referred to Widdecombe as a "heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker", Johnson writes: "Sadness at the death of Ann Widdecombe now turning to anger and bewilderment at the news that she seems to have been murdered."

Image source, In Pictures via Getty Images

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has released a video statement describing Widdecombe - a spokesperson for his party - as having been an "extraordinary" and "remarkable, principled woman".

He says he is "deeply, deeply upset by the nature of her death," adding that she would "not have harmed a fly".

"She was kind to everybody. Frankly this was somebody who gave her life to public service, to fighting for the things that she believed in," he says.

Widdecombe also reached "way beyond politics", he says, describing her TV appearances in shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.

"She wasn't just a politician, she was a celebrity," he says.

"Our nation is a much, much poorer place without her. Reform UK is certainly a much worse place without her," he says, adding that he was expecting to see her in the next few days.

Image source, Getty Images

Leader of the Green Party Zack Polanski says he is "shocked to hear the news about the circumstances of Ann Widdecombe's death".

"My thoughts are with her loved ones at this distressing time," he says in a post on X.

A satellite image of the Haytor area in Dartmoor shows the location of Widdecombe's house, where she was found dead on Thursday.

The property is detached and in a remote location surrounded by neighbours and fields.

In the police news conference, they said the man arrested on suspicion of murder was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot.

The town is a short drive away from Haytor.

Susan Coish, who is Ann Widdecombe's neighbour, tells the BBC she is "devastated" to hear of her death.

"I'm shocked. In this lovely setting where we live," she says.

Coish describes Widdecombe as being "a character and a lovely lady".

"I can't see why anybody would want to hurt her... it hasn't sunk in yet actually."

She adds she last saw Widdecombe at a petrol station 10 days ago.

"We used to say hello. She did keep herself to herself quite a bit... but she was approachable," Coish says.

Devon and Cornwall Police's Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman gave a brief update on the murder investigation launched into the death of Ann Widdecombe on Thursday.

We now know:

• A 26-year-old man was arrested on Friday afternoon at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe
• The suspect, a white British national, is in police custody while inquires continue
• It's not being treated as a terrorist incident after consulting with counter-terror policing as part of "initial enquiries"
• The murder inquiry is in its early stages - police are appealing to the public to share relevant information
• There is no information at this time to believe the incident was politically motivated, and Longman said it is "too early" to comment on whether or not the suspect was known to Widdecombe

Longman is now taking questions from the media.

Asked if the suspect was known to the victim, Longman says they remain "open-minded" throughout the investigation and they are making those inquiries.

"Too early for me to comment further on that at this time," the assistant chief constable says.

Asked if there is any indication the incident was politically motivated, he repeats that the investigation is in its early stages and they remain "open-minded", but adds: "At this time I have got no information to believe that that is a politically motivated crime."

With that, Longman draws the news conference to a close.

Image source, UK pool

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman says they have set up a public portal where people can share information, and where images or footage can be submitted.

The portal can be found on the Devon and Cornwall Police website, he adds.

The public will see significant activity by police in the local area while detectives continue house-to-house and CCTV inquiries, Longman continues.

He says that the murder inquiry is still in it early stages, but appeals to the public to come forward with any information they may have

He asks people not speculate about the investigation, especially on social media.

Image source, UK pool

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman goes over the details the force earlier released to the public.

He says officers were called to Widdecombe's home at around 11:40 BST on 9 July, and she was located deceased in the property with "serious injuries".

Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported, he says.

Police say the incident is not being treated as terrorism after consulting with counter-terror policing as part of "initial inquiries".

Police say a 26-year-old man was arrested on Friday afternoon at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.

The suspect, a white British national, is in police custody while inquiries continue, police say.

We are now hearing from Devon and Cornwall Police, who are delivering a news conference on the murder investigation.

You can watch live by pressing the button at the top of this page, and we'll bring you text updates here.

Image source, Getty Images

Tributes are rolling in for Ann Widdecombe after it was announced that a murder investigation has been launched into her death.

Labour MPformer Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner calls the news "deeply disturbing and distressing" and says it's "right that we pay tribute across the divides to Ann’s many years of public service."

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Mel Stride says Ann was a "remarkable lady" and urges anyone with information to contact the police.

Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle says he is "deeply shocked to learn of the circumstances around Ann’s death.

“The police investigation must now take its course and I hope anybody with relevant information will contact them," he says in a statement.

Image source, UK pool

We are still waiting for the news conference by Devon and Cornwall Police to begin as it remains delayed - we're not sure exactly what time we will hear from officers but we expect it to be soon.

Remember, you can watch the conference at the top of this page by pressing the watch live button - we'll bring you text updates here.

Image source, Getty Images

We've just had reaction from Makerfield MP and likely incoming prime minister Andy Burnham.

A spokeswoman for Burnham said: "Andy’s deepest condolences and thoughts are with Ann’s family today, in incredibly distressing circumstances.

"Ann gave a lifetime of public service, and it’s absolutely right that the police put all their resources into investigating this as swiftly as possible."

A heavy police presence remains outside Ann Widdecombe's home, where she was found dead by officers yesterday morning.

Several police cars are lined up on the road outside of her rural house, while a police van and two officers are parked on her driveway.

A forensics van is also parked up.

Her home is surrounded by large green spaces, with few houses nearby.