Susan Coysh, who is Ann Widdecombe's neighbour, tells the BBC she is "devastated" to hear of her death.

"I'm shocked. In this lovely setting where we live," she says.

Coysh describes Widdecombe as being "a character and a lovely lady".

"I can't see why anybody would want to hurt her... it hasn't sunk in yet actually."

She adds she last saw Widdecombe at a petrol station 10 days ago.

"We used to say hello. She did keep herself to herself quite a bit... but she was approachable," Coysh says.

Devon and Cornwall Police's Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman gave a brief update on the murder investigation launched into the death of Ann Widdecombe on Thursday.

We now know:

• A 26-year-old man was arrested on Friday afternoon at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe
• The suspect, a white British national, is in police custody while enquiries continue
• It's not being treated as a terrorist incident after consulting with counter-terror policing as part of "initial enquiries"
• The murder inquiry is in its early stages - police are appealing to the public to share relevant information
• There is no information at this time to believe the incident was politically motivated, and Longman said it is "too early" to comment on whether or not the suspect was known to Widdecombe

Longman is now taking questions from the media.

Asked if the suspect was known to the victim, Longman says they remain "open-minded" throughout the investigation and they are making those inquiries.

"Too early for me to comment further on that at this time," the assistant chief constable says.

Asked if there is any indication the incident was politically motivated, he repeats that the investigation is in its early stages and they remain "open-minded", but adds: "At this time I have got no information to believe that that is a politically motivated crime."

With that, Longman draws the news conference to a close.

Image source, UK pool

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman says they have set up a public portal where people can share information, and where images or footage can be submitted.

The portal can be found on the Devon and Cornwall Police website, he adds.

The public will see significant activity by police in the local area while detectives continue house-to-house and CCTV inquiries, Longman continues.

He says that the murder inquiry is still in it early stages, but appeals to the public to come forward with any information they may have

He asks people not speculate about the investigation, especially on social media.

Image source, UK pool

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman goes over the details the force earlier released to the public.

He says officers were called to Widdecombe's home at around 11:40 BST on 9 July, and she was located deceased in the property with "serious injuries".

Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported, he says.

Police say the incident is not being treated as terrorism after consulting with counter-terror policing as part of "initial inquiries".

Police say a 26-year-old man was arrested on Friday afternoon at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe.

The suspect, a white British national, is in police custody while inquiries continue, police say.

We are now hearing from Devon and Cornwall Police, who are delivering a news conference on the murder investigation.

You can watch live by pressing the button at the top of this page, and we'll bring you text updates here.

Image source, Getty Images

Tributes are rolling in for Ann Widdecombe after it was announced that a murder investigation has been launched into her death.

Labour MPformer Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner calls the news "deeply disturbing and distressing" and says it's "right that we pay tribute across the divides to Ann’s many years of public service."

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Mel Stride says Ann was a "remarkable lady" and urges anyone with information to contact the police.

Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle says he is "deeply shocked to learn of the circumstances around Ann’s death.

“The police investigation must now take its course and I hope anybody with relevant information will contact them," he says in a statement.

Image source, UK pool

We are still waiting for the news conference by Devon and Cornwall Police to begin as it remains delayed - we're not sure exactly what time we will hear from officers but we expect it to be soon.

Remember, you can watch the conference at the top of this page by pressing the watch live button - we'll bring you text updates here.

Image source, Getty Images

We've just had reaction from Makerfield MP and likely incoming prime minister Andy Burnham.

A spokeswoman for Burnham said: "Andy’s deepest condolences and thoughts are with Ann’s family today, in incredibly distressing circumstances.

"Ann gave a lifetime of public service, and it’s absolutely right that the police put all their resources into investigating this as swiftly as possible."

A heavy police presence remains outside Ann Widdecombe's home, where she was found dead by officers yesterday morning.

Several police cars are lined up on the road outside of her rural house, while a police van and two officers are parked on her driveway.

A forensics van is also parked up.

Her home is surrounded by large green spaces, with few houses nearby.

Anton Du Beke, Ann Widdecombe's partner on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, calls her death the "saddest of news".

"I had the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing, she became a real friend, she was fun, she was upbeat, she was positive, she was supportive, she was game, wanted to enter into the spirit of the whole thing," he says in a video on X.

"We had an incredible time together," he says, adding that he's "devastated" by the news.

Image source, House of Commons

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey says he is "really shocked and distressed" after police launched a murder investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death.

"She was a woman of deep faith who devoted her life to public service. The idea that she could have been murdered is truly horrifying," he writes on X.

He says his "thoughts and prayers are with her family and all who loved her".

As we reported earlier, Widdecombe moved into her Devon home in 2008. It is located in Haytor, on the east edge of Dartmoor in a remote, rural part of the country.

Police found Widdecome deceased within her home yesterday morning.

Starmer is then asked if there is any evidence that Widdecombe’s death is politically motivated.

He says he won’t speculate about the case specifically and says the security of politicians is of the "utmost importance".

"The chief constable has briefed me on the details as they’re known at the moment but I think it is very important for us to have in our thoughts the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe," Starmer adds.

On the suspect, Starmer adds: "He’s clearly dangerous, and I implore everybody who’s got any information in relation to him to help the police with their inquiries, get him into police custody."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer says now is the moment to “rise above any political differences” following the news that police have launched a murder investigation into Ann Widdecombe’s death.

Speaking to the media, he says "the most important thing at the moment" is to help the police identify the "dangerous" individual responsible for Widdecombe’s death.

The murder investigation is “shocking news” and he says his thoughts are with her family “at this awful time”.

He says he has 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”.

He describes Widdecombe as a “distinguished politician” and describes her death as a “significant loss”.

Kate Whannel
Politics reporter

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has been responding to the news of the police’s murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe.

"I’ve been stunned to hear this awful news," she says during a visit to Portsmouth.

"To be honest, I’ve really struggled to find the words.

"Ann Widdecombe was a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind.

"She was 78 years old. She was an elderly woman. I don’t understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person.

"It was a nasty, horrific attack. My heart is breaking for her family."

Badenoch continues: "It is one thing when someone dies but to know they have been murdered in this horrible way is just awful.

"The Conservative Party is reeling.

"I want to convey my condolences to Nigel Farage and to everyone in Reform on behalf of the Conservatives because we’ve both lost a friend."

Caroline Robinson
South West

Image source, Copyright Chris Allen/Geograph

Widdecombe moved into her Devon home in 2008 in Haytor, on the south eastern edge of Dartmoor.

In an interview in 2008, she told the BBC her mother was from Plymouth in Devon and her father from Saltash in Cornwall, so she would often be "brought back here as a child and we would always walk on Dartmoor".

At the time, she said she named her home Widdecombe's Rest as a symbol of her retirement and that she planned to spend the rest of her life there.

Police said she was found deceased within her home on Thursday.

Jenny Kumah
BBC South West England Correspondent, reporting from Haytor Vale

There is a heavy police presence outside the home of Ann Widdecombe - there are several police cars on the road outside and a police van on the driveway of her property.

Several officers are busy carrying out their investigations at the house. There is a sense of shock and sadness here at the details that are emerging.

The house is in a remote rural area close to the small village of Haytor Vale, and there aren't very many other properties nearby.