A man arrested on suspicion of murdering former British government minister Ann Widdecombe has been released and is no longer considered part of the investigation, police announced. The development comes as detectives revealed that the attack on the 78-year-old politician is believed to have occurred on Wednesday, a full day before her body was discovered at her home in rural southwest England on Thursday.

Devon and Cornwall Police had arrested a 26-year-old white British national in Newton Abbot on Friday. However, he was freed on Saturday without charge. Officers are now working to establish a timeline of events, stating they believe Widdecombe was attacked around 11:30 GMT on Wednesday. Ambulance workers subsequently called police to her residence on Thursday, where they found her dead with serious injuries.

Investigators have confirmed that they have found no evidence to suggest the killing was terrorism-related or politically motivated. They also stated that the suspect was a white male and that there is no wider risk to the public. The focus of the investigation has now shifted to identifying the perpetrator and understanding the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The death of Ann Widdecombe, a prominent figure known for her socially conservative views, has prompted tributes from across the political spectrum. She served as a junior minister in the Conservative government under Prime Minister John Major and later became an immigration spokesperson for Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. Her strong stances on issues such as abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and her opposition to the ordination of women priests defined her public career.

Nigel Farage described Widdecombe as "an extraordinary woman" who "stood up and fought for what she believed in." Prime Minister Keir Starmer also offered condolences. Widdecombe's career was marked by her devout Christian faith and her outspoken views, which often placed her at the center of public debate.

This incident follows a pattern of violence against serving British politicians in recent years. In 2016, Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was murdered during the Brexit campaign. More recently, in 2021, Conservative lawmaker David Amess was stabbed to death. These events have raised concerns about the safety of public figures in the UK.

Police are continuing to appeal for information from the public as they seek to identify the individual responsible for Widdecombe's death. The focus remains on gathering evidence and forensic information from her home and the surrounding area. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected as detectives piece together the events leading up to the attack.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the vicinity of Widdecombe's home on Wednesday or Thursday to come forward. The lack of immediate suspects and the timing of the attack present significant challenges for investigators, who are pursuing all available leads.