Ann Widdecombe died in her much-loved Devon home last week, with counter-terrorism police now leading a murder investigation. Ann, 78, a former Conservative minister defected to Reform UK, loved her home in Dartmoor. She had reportedly faced a tough decision about where to retire, a toss-up between Dartmoor and the north-west Highlands – both big walking areas, which was her priority.
The West Country won for three reasons: it’s less remote, she had family connections there and it’s warmer for swimming, which she loved. Today, forces revealed that “new evidence and information has come to light” sparking the involvement of terror police. Counter-terrorism South East have confirmed that a 28-year-old man, who was arrested in Rotherham on Saturday (July 11), has since been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
The counter-terror department was working alongside Devon and Cornwall Police after Ms Widdecombe was found dead with “serious injuries” in her Heytor residence at 11.40am on Thursday (July 9).
Ann was reportedly “incredibly happy” at her home and it was the place where she intended to spend the rest of her days, reports Devon Live.
“I know the area well,” she said in a 2011 interview. “My father was born in Saltash. My mother was born in Plymouth. I’ve still got an elderly aunt and a cousin in Saltash, and a cousin in Torquay, although that’s about it.
“I used to come down here a lot visiting relatives and things like that, and then, when I was older, I walked a great deal on Dartmoor, initially with my father, and then in later years on my own, or with a companion.”
Walking was one of her joys and she regularly took herself off for hours, walking up to Hound Tor and beyond.
“When you’re walking out on the moor on your own, miles from anywhere, and you don’t see another human being for days, or you only see them in the far distance, then yes, you certainly can feel closer to God.”
Ann decided to live just yards from Widecombe In The Moor. She called her home Widdecombe’s Rest.
In the 2011 interview she said: “A lot of people think it means rest, as in having a rest,” she laughed. “But what it actually means is the rest of Widdecombe’s life!”