The British police arrested a 28-year-old man on Saturday night in connection with the killing of Ann Widdecombe, a well-known politician who was found dead at her home in southwest England on Thursday.
The man, whom the police identified only as a “white British national,” was arrested in South Yorkshire several hours north of Ms. Widdecombe’s home in Devon, according to a statement from the Devon and Cornwall Police Department.
It was the second arrest in the case. On Friday, a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murdering Ms. Widdecombe, whose body was found with severe injuries. But the police released that man the next day, saying he had no connection to the killing.
Ms. Widdecombe, 78, was a longtime member of Parliament, serving as a Conservative lawmaker for more than two decades until her retirement in 2010. She had served as a minister in the government of Prime Minister John Major.
After her retirement, she became a vocal advocate for Brexit, Britain’s departure from the European Union. In 2023, she joined Reform U.K., the populist right-wing party led by Nigel Farage, who also championed the Brexit cause.
The man detained on Saturday night was arrested by the Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police. But the Devon and Cornwall police said in a statement that there was “no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident.”
After the first man arrested was released on Saturday morning, the police urged members of the public to come forward with information about Ms. Widdecombe’s death. The statement on Saturday night did not indicate whether the second arrest was the result of a tip.
“This is a live and active investigation, and no further information will be issued tonight,” the statement read.
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