Rachel Flynn
Live reporter

Reuters

This afternoon, police announced they had launched a murder investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe, 78-year-old former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman.

This is how the news unfolded:

Friday morning: Widdecombe's agent announced her death "with great shock and sadness", but did not say when, how or where she died.

Friday early afternoon: Devon and Cornwall Police said Widdecombe was found deceased at her home on Thursday morning with serious injuries, and they had launched a murder investigation into her death.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the media the investigation is "shocking news", adding that Widdecombe's death is a "significant loss".

Later in the afternoon: Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman announced that a 26-year-old white British man was arrested on Friday afternoon on suspicion of Widdecombe's murder, at an address in Newton Abbot - not far from Widdecombe's home in the Haytor area in Dartmoor.

What else do we know?

Police say the murder inquiry is in its early stages, but do not consider it a terrorist incident and say there is no information at this time to suggest it is politically motivated. They're appealing to the public for any relevant information.

Tributes have been pouring in - Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called her an "extraordinary" and "remarkable, principled woman", while her partner in Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, Anton Du Beke, said he was "devastated".

We're ending our live coverage here. For more, you can read about the investigation in our news story and here is everything we know so far.