British police have launched a murder investigation following the death of former Conservative minister, Ann Wintecombe, who was found covered in blood with a head injury at her home in Devon.

Officers found the 78-year-old former Minister of Prisons with “serious injuries,” after an ambulance crew alerted the authorities and called them to her home in Haytor, in the Dartmoor area, shortly before noon on Thursday.

Initially, her death was announced on Friday morning by her agent, with no indication that it had been caused by anything other than natural causes. However, a few hours later, the Devon and Cornwall Police announced that the case is now being treated as a homicide and that authorities are searching for a “white man,” whom they believe is responsible.

Murder inquiry launched following ‘suspicious’ death of Ann Widdecombe. pic.twitter.com/wlnAsm4PJL

— LBC (@LBC) July 10, 2026

“The investigation is moving at a rapid pace”

The lead investigator stated that the investigation is still in its early stages but is progressing rapidly.

“The murder investigation is in its early stages, but it is moving at a significant pace. We have allocated all the necessary resources to determine exactly what happened and to identify the person responsible, whom we believe to be a white man,” she said.

She appealed to anyone with information—even if they think it might be insignificant—to contact the police.

Authorities are particularly seeking witness statements from people who saw anything suspicious in the Heitor Vale area, as well as footage from security cameras, doorbells, or dashcams.

Meanwhile, forensic experts are examining Widdecombe’s home, which has been cordoned off by police.

BREAKING: Former minister, MP, and MEP Ann Widdecombe has died at the age of 78.https://t.co/9IWp09jExG

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— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 10, 2026

Call to Stop Speculation

British Home Secretary, Sambana Mahmoud, described the circumstances of her death as “extremely painful” and urged the public to refrain from speculation until the police investigation is complete.

“It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of Ann Wintecombe. The circumstances of her death are extremely tragic, and my thoughts are with her family and loved ones,” she wrote in a post on X.

She added that she had been in contact with the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall, and emphasized that the Home Office is ready to provide whatever support the authorities may need.

According to reports, the police officers who arrived at her home spoke with the woman who was caring for her, who is believed to be the one who discovered her body.

From a Hard-Line Political Stance to Television Fame

Anne Wintecombe was one of the most recognizable figures on the British political scene. With a long career in the Conservative Party, she became known for her blunt manner of speaking and her hard-line positions on the party’s right wing.

She later gained recognition among a wider audience through her appearances on television shows such as *Strictly Come Dancing* and *Celebrity Big Brother*.

A convert to Catholicism, she often provoked controversy with her views on social issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and drugs, toward which she advocated a zero-tolerance policy.

She was a staunch supporter of Brexit and had opposed net-zero carbon policies, questioning aspects of the science surrounding climate change.

In 2023, she joined Reform UK and became a staunch supporter of Nigel Farage, even appearing on a television program in support of the party just two days before her death was announced.

“She was a force of nature”

Nigel Farage was among those who paid tribute to Windecombe, describing her as “an absolute force of nature.”

As he put it, no one ever had any doubt about where she stood, and he described her as a “tremendously loyal ally.”

“She never let anyone doubt where she stood on the major issues of the day. She was truly a force to be reckoned with,” he said.

For her part, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch described her as “a great politician who was never afraid to speak her mind.”

“She always remained true to herself. Her politics were strongly guided by her faith and values. Rest in peace, Ann,” she said.

Source: Protothema.gr