Police found the former Conservative prisons minister with ‘serious injuries’ after an ambulance crew called them to her house in Haytor, Dartmoor at 11.40am yesterday.

In an update this afternoon, Devon and Cornwall Police said officers had begun a murder inquiry and were hunting a ‘white male’ who they ‘believe is responsible’.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman has now told a press conference that a 26-year-old white British man has been arrested at an address in Newton Abbot.

Ms Widdecombe’s death aged 78 was first announced by her management team this morning and there had been no suggestion of anything other than natural causes.

It is understood she was found covered in blood after suffering a serious head wound.

Mr Longman said there was ‘no information’ at this time to suggest the murder of was a ‘politically motivated crime’ and it is not being treated as terror-related.

Read more: White male suspect arrested over Ann Widdecombe ‘murder’ after she was found ‘covered in blood from head wound’ at Devon home