After previously announcing a white British suspect the Police investigating the murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe are now deliberately withholding suspect descriptions and CCTV footage as they intensify their manhunt.
Devon and Cornwall Police launched a major investigation after Widdecombe was found dead with severe injuries at her Dartmoor home on Thursday morning. Detectives now believe the fatal attack took place the day before her body was discovered.
While a 26-year-old man was initially arrested in connection with the crime, he was quickly released and has been completely ruled out of the investigation.
In a recent update, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman explained that the force’s silence is a calculated move. He stated that releasing specific details prematurely could compromise the ongoing probe and jeopardize future breakthroughs. Longman thanked the public for the tips they have already provided but issued a firm plea asking people to stop speculating about the case on social media.
A police cordon and local road closures remain in place around the Dartmoor property while forensics teams continue their meticulous sweep of the scene.
Meanwhile, friends and political allies are mourning the loss of the fiercely patriotic and versatile public figure. Nigel Farage visited the bungalow to lay a wreath, paying tribute to a woman who seamlessly transitioned from a staunchly conservative politician into an unexpected entertainment personality, leaving her mark on everything from Strictly Come Dancing to the publishing world.