LIVE: Police launch murder investigation into death of Ann Widdecombe

Police are hunting a suspect after she was found dead with serious injuries

The news of her death was confirmed by her management on Friday (10 July) who said that the former MP and MEP died on Friday morning, adding that she would be missed "greatly".

However, things appear to have taken a turn after it was reported that a murder investigation had been opened into her death.

Now Sky News reports that Devon and Cornwall Police have launched a murder investigation into her death while the BBC have said they are treating her death as a suspected murder.

Ann Widdecombe. Image: Getty.

They say that police officers were called to an address at Haytor, in Dartmoor, at around 11.40am BST on Thursday.

Police said Widdecombe was found dead at the property and had sustained serious injuries. 

A statement from police is expected to be made at 16:30 BST this afternoon.

Widdecombe served as MP for Maidstone for 23 years and was a minister of state for prisons and employment in John Major’s government.

She was also well known for her TV appearances outside of politics, famously featuring on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.

In her later political career, she went on to join Reform UK and became a vocal supporter of Brexit.

In a statement, Cloud9 Management, who represented her for more than a decade, said: “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.”