Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe.

The 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman was found dead at her home on Dartmoor in Devon on Thursday morning with serious injuries.

On Saturday, police said a 26-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder had been released.

Here is everything we know – and do not know – so far:

Widdecombe was found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, a village on Dartmoor, on Thursday morning when officers were called by the ambulance service at around 11:40 BST.

Her death was announced on Friday morning by her management team, but there was no information about when, how or where she died, and no detail on any suspicious circumstances.

The statement said in part: “We know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way.”

On Friday afternoon, Devon and Cornwall Police issued a statement saying a murder investigation had been launched and released details of a suspect.

Widdecombe’s management team then released another statement, saying they were “absolutely devastated” by news of the police investigation “following a very traumatic and upsetting 24 hours”.

Police said there was “no information that this is a politically motivated crime” and also confirmed the incident was not being treated as terror-related.

A significant police presence remains at the house, with a BBC correspondent describing several police cars on the road outside and a police van on the driveway.

A 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of the murder of Widdecombe. He was arrested in Newton Abbot, a town roughly 10 miles from Haytor.

However on Saturday morning, Devon and Cornwall Police said the man had been released from custody and was no longer part of the investigation.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined.”

He said detectives were continuing to “carry out numerous enquiries as part of the ongoing investigation and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident”.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about Widdecombe’s death to come forward.

Widdecombe’s political career spanned decades – she served as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and worked as a Home Office and employment minister in John Major’s government between 1994 and 1997.

Following news of the police investigation, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was “shocking news” and his thoughts were with Widdecombe’s family “at this awful time”.

He said he had spoken to the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, as well as Andy Burnham, “to urge everybody to come together”.

Badenoch said she was “stunned” and “really struggled to find the words”. She added: “My heart is breaking for her family.”

Likely incoming prime minister Burnham sent his condolences to Widdecombe’s family, and said: “Ann gave a lifetime of public service.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged the public “to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress”.

In a post on X, she said the circumstances of Widdecombe’s death were “extremely distressing”, adding that her “thoughts are with Ann’s family and loved ones”.

Widdecombe was born in Bath, Somerset, in 1947 and went on to study Latin at Birmingham University, then philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University.

After leaving Parliament she embarked on a showbiz career, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

Anton Du Beke, Widdecombe’s dance partner on Strictly, said her death was the “saddest of news”.

“We had an incredible time together,” he said in a video on X.

A staunch supporter of the UK’s departure from the EU, Widdecombe became an MEP for the Brexit Party, representing South West England in the European Parliament between 2019-2020.

In 2023, Widdecombe joined Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, after the party changed its name from the Brexit Party, and made a number of appearances as the party’s immigration and justice spokesperson.