Police are investigating Ann Widdecombe‘s death as ‘suspicious’ and the possibility that there might have been foul play.
Earlier today, the 78-year-old former MP’s representatives issued a statement, confirming that she had died.
It read: ‘It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.
‘We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends. We ask that the family’s wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected.’
No cause of death was confirmed, but reports have since said she was found ‘covered in blood after sustaining a serious head wound’ at her Dartmoor home in Devon yesterday.
Her body was found by a carer who worked for her, The Sun has said. The carer was spoken to by officers at the scene.
The publication added that police are now trying to establish whether the Conservative politician may have died in an accidental fall or whether she was attacked.
Devon and Cornwall Police are expected to release a statement during a press conference at 4:30pm.
As of now, further details of the so-called suspicious circumstances are being kept under wraps due to concerns regarding foul play.
Her management has said they have ‘no comment’ to make on the investigation development.
Following news of Widdecombe’s death, many former colleagues and co-stars have paid tribute, with the likes of Anton Du Beke, with whom she danced on Strictly in 2010, calling her a ‘real friend’ and Piers Morgan describing her as ‘a wonderfully no-nonsense, straight-talking, highly opinionated British battle-axe’.
Her team at Cloud9 Management also said the politician-turned-media personality ‘loved the cut and thrust of political debate’ and was a ‘consummate professional’.
Widdecombe served as Conservative MP for Maidstone from 1987 until she stood down in 2010.
Following this, she joined Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party in 2019 and served as an MEP representing South West England in Brussels between 2019 and 2020, before backing Reform UK in 2023.
Most recently, she served as the party’s justice and immigration adviser.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates.