LONDON, U.K.: British police arrested a man on July 10 on suspicion of murdering Ann Widdecombe. The 78-year-old former government minister and Reform UK politician was found dead with serious injuries.

Police said a 26-year-old white British man was arrested in Newton Abbot, a town about 9 miles (15 km) from her home in southwest England.

Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said there was no evidence to suggest the killing was linked to terrorism or had a political motive.

Widdecombe was known for her socially conservative views. She first served as a junior minister in Conservative Prime Minister John Major's government from 1992 to 1997. Later, she worked as an immigration and justice spokesperson for Nigel Farage's Reform UK party.

Police said officers were called to her home shortly after midday on July 9, where she was found dead. Forensic examinations at the property were still ongoing.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to her, saying she had shown dedication during her many years of public service.

Two serving British members of parliament have been murdered in the past decade. Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed by a man with Nazi beliefs during the Brexit campaign in 2016. Conservative MP David Amess was stabbed to death in 2021 by a man inspired by the militant group Islamic State.

During her political career, Widdecombe was known for being outspoken and for her conservative views. She opposed abortion and did not support equalizing the age of consent for homosexual and heterosexual relationships.

She also supported the use of restraints on pregnant prisoners during childbirth to prevent escape and believed single mothers were poor role models. However, she was unusual among Conservative politicians because she opposed fox hunting.

In one of her most famous remarks, she said that her former boss and future Conservative leader Michael Howard had something of the night about him.

Widdecombe said she never had sex or experienced romance. She also converted to Catholicism partly as a protest against the Church of England allowing women to become priests.

After leaving parliament, she appeared on the TV show "Strictly Come Dancing" in 2010. Despite criticism from judges for her dancing, she remained popular with viewers. Later, she said the show's decision to include same-sex couples did not match its family audience.

She later joined Nigel Farage's Brexit Party and served as a member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2020.

After news of her death, and before details of the murder investigation were known, former colleagues from both the Conservative and Reform UK parties paid tribute to her.

Nigel Farage said that she had played a decisive role in achieving Brexit. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson described her as a heroic supporter of Brexit and a powerful speaker who was difficult to follow.