The British police on Saturday released a 26-year-old man who had been arrested in connection with the suspected murder of Ann Widdecombe, a well-known former lawmaker, saying that he was no longer part of the investigation into her death.
The police had arrested the man on Friday, a day after finding the body of Ms. Widdecombe, who they said had “sustained serious injuries” at her home in Devon in southwest England. In announcing the arrest, the police said her death was not being treated as a terrorism case and that there was nothing to suggest that her killing was politically motivated.
But the release of the man renewed questions about the motive behind the death of one of Britain’s better-known political figures.
“Our priority remains identifying those responsible and ensuring that all available evidence is thoroughly examined,” Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman of the Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement. “Detectives continue to carry out numerous inquiries as part of the ongoing investigation, and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Ms. Widdecombe, 78, was a member of Parliament for more than two decades until she retired in 2010. She served as a minister in the Conservative government of Prime Minister John Major.
After leaving office, she gained new fame, appearing on the British version of “Dancing With the Stars” and eventually becoming a member of the populist, anti-immigration Reform U.K. party led by Nigel Farage. Until her death, she was a frequent spokeswoman for the party.
Her apparent murder has rattled political figures across Britain. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it “really shocking,” saying that Ms. Widdecombe had been a “distinguished politician.”
In the statement on Saturday, Mr. Longman did not explain why they had released the initial suspect, who was also from Devon. He also seemed to indicate that the police did not yet know who had committed the crime.
“Our murder inquiry is in its early stages but moving at a significant pace,” he said. “I would appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident, however insignificant it may seem, to come forward and speak with us.”
