A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering former British government minister Ann Widdecombe has been released and is no longer considered a suspect, police confirmed on Saturday. The man, a white British national, was detained on Friday in Newton Abbot, approximately nine miles from Widdecombe’s home in Haytor, southwest England.

Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman stated that while the investigation remains in its early stages, it is progressing rapidly. Authorities believe the attack occurred on Wednesday around 11:30 GMT, one day prior to emergency services being called to Widdecombe’s residence, where she was found with serious injuries and subsequently pronounced dead. Police emphasized that there is no evidence to suggest the killing was linked to terrorism or had any political motive. Counterterrorism units were consulted but are not currently involved in the investigation. Authorities also indicated there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Ann Widdecombe, aged 78, was a notable figure in British politics, serving as a junior minister in Conservative Prime Minister John Major’s government from 1992 to 1997. Later in her career, she was known for her socially conservative views and became an immigration and justice spokesperson for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. Widdecombe was recognized for defending controversial policies such as the shackling of pregnant prisoners during childbirth and expressing critical views about single mothers, though she diverged from many conservatives by opposing fox hunting.

News of her death prompted tributes spanning the political spectrum in the UK. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage both publicly remembered her, with Farage calling her “an extraordinary woman” who was steadfast in her beliefs and a devout Christian.

While Widdecombe’s killing marks a rare instance involving a former senior politician, it follows the tragic murders of two sitting members of the British Parliament in recent years. Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed by a far-right extremist during the Brexit referendum campaign in 2016. Conservative MP David Amess was stabbed to death in 2021 by an assailant with alleged links to the Islamic State militant group.

The police investigation into Widdecombe’s death continues, with authorities urging anyone with relevant information to come forward as they work to identify those responsible.