Ann Widdecombe was attacked 24 hours before she was found dead, police have admitted

Widdecombe’s death was announced by her management agency on Friday morning without any suspicious circumstances.

Later in the afternoon, Devon and Cornwall Police released a statement saying a murder investigation had been launched and a suspect, believed to be white, is being sought.

Laying a wreath at Dartmoor National Park, close to Widdecombe’s home, Farage told reporters she was a “remarkable individual” and “a staunch advocate of speaking out”.

He added that Reform is “doing everything we can to support the police in every way.”

Long-time driver Peter Horall of Widdecombe told the BBC he “couldn’t believe” what had happened when the flower was parked near the site on Saturday.

“She was a great woman, very kind,” he said, adding, “If you ask her a question, you’ll get an answer – no shyness.”

Other local residents are reeling from news of the attack, with one woman who lives near Widdecombe’s home telling a PA news agency that the area is “very safe” and that it was not unusual for people to leave their cars and front doors open.

“My husband saw her walking around a week ago,” said Christine Maloney, who was “shocked” by the news of her death.

Another resident, Alison Gilbert, said: “Everyone saw her as a very positive politician, but to us she was just a community person.

“At first we came back and saw the police and thought maybe it was a burglary. Most of us suspected she had a heart attack or something,” she said.

Her husband Simon added: “She didn’t deserve to die like this.”