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Ann Widdecombe at her home at Haytor, Devonshire, in 2014 |
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Gordon Rayner Associate Editor |
Ann Widdecombe loved the peace and isolation of the home she called Widdecombe’s Rest, where she intended to live out her days surrounded by the beauty of her beloved Dartmoor.
This morning it is a crime scene, following the shocking news that the former Conservative MP was allegedly murdered, having been found dead with “serious injuries” on Thursday morning.
The safety of MPs is back on the agenda and the country’s security forces are understood to be reviewing the arrangements for Reform UK. Widdecombe had joined Reform and acted as the party’s spokesman on immigration and justice.
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said he now feared that for “anybody in public life, or especially in the political space, things have become even more dangerous”.
Police presence will remain significant around Widdecombe’s property for several days |
A 26-year-old man, arrested on Friday on suspicion of murder, has been released from custody and is no longer part of the investigation, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
The police cannot discuss any possible motive for the alleged murder of Widdecombe.
What is not in doubt, however, is that at the age of 78, the former Tory minister’s life has been cut short by what Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Opposition, described as “a nasty, horrific attack”, and that the country has lost a public servant whose forthright views and sense of humour made her one of a kind.
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Samuel Montgomery News Reporter |
Roadblocks cordoned off the area around Widdecombe’s home in Devon as forensic teams worked on the site on Friday evening. Officers could be seen scouring the grounds behind her house, moving photography equipment as they walked around the outdoor pool.
Anne Newton, 72, said news of her neighbour’s death had come as a great shock. Newton, who has lived in the village for 25 years, told me: “I have known Ann ever since she came here. It is a great loss. It came out of the blue.
“She was a very outspoken person but she had a heart of gold. Ann was Ann, you either loved her or hated her. She was a wonderful character.
“I couldn’t believe it. We saw it on the news. When they said murder, that is why all our doors are locked now. This door is usually open.”
George Mowat-Brown, 78, said Widdecombe had felt safe in Devon. The retired lecturer said: “She always left her front door open. It is a safe place. The police were telling us to lock our doors, garages and cars earlier, before the man was arrested.”
Mowat-Brown said he had been told about suspicious activity on the day of Widdecombe’s death: “I was speaking to the chap who runs the local garage. He saw an odd car parked close to Widdecombe’s house on Thursday.
“He knows all the cars around here but didn’t recognise this one.”
Read the full story ➤
Suspect in Ann Widdecombe murder investigation released from custody ➤ |
Meghan, Archie and Lilibet at home in California |
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Hannah Furness Royal Editor |
At the start of the week, there was one question on royal-watchers’ lips: will the King be able to see his Sussex grandchildren for the first time in four years?
Then came the drama, the court ruling, and the Buckingham Palace room reshuffle, and the family reunion at the heart of Prince Harry’s trip to Britain was almost forgotten.
The Sussex circus rolled on, and Buckingham Palace went silent.
Those in the know predicted that tea with the King remained on the cards, all in good time and on his terms, and so it proved.
Last night, calmly and factually, came confirmation that the King and Queen had hosted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet at Highgrove yesterday afternoon.
The venue is significant. King Charles’s favourite private residence has a famous garden for children to run around and a treehouse once played in by William and Harry as children.
Away from “Monarchy HQ”, it was a deft way of distancing the King and Queen from the Duke of Sussex’s pronouncements on everything from the judiciary to the Home Office, and to keep things personal.
The visit will have been an important moment for the family. It may open the door for more. For those who have despaired at the chaos with which this week has unfolded, it feels, possibly briefly, that the grown-ups have taken back control.
For more exclusive analysis from Hannah, sign up to Your Royal Appointment ➤
King reunited with grandchildren Archie and Lilibet ➤ |
The biggest week of their lives
David Beckham joined Jordan Pickford and Declan Rice for training in Miami |
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Oliver Brown Chief Sports Writer |
Here in the sapping humidity of Miami, England’s players stand on the verge of a week that could define them forever. It is that heady sensation only a World Cup quarter-final can create, reminding this team that they are potentially just three matches from immortality. Is it premature even to entertain that notion? Not if you ask Thomas Tuchel, who, true to his philosophy of pressure being a privilege, is embracing the magnitude of the occasion. “I understand,” the head coach said, when asked what he took from the Three Lions refrain: “Football’s coming home”. “It’s England, the motherland of football. It should be coming home.”
But first they must overcome Norway, who have been propelled into the last eight by the nonchalant brilliance of Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker cemented his iconic status in his homeland with his two exquisitely taken goals to beat Brazil in the last round. Now he has the chance to inflict the ultimate pain on the country where he plies his trade. It is a delicious match-up and one, on the balance of power, in which England should prevail. As many as 30,000 England supporters are expected to converge on southern Florida in anticipation, while millions at home will relish the 10pm Saturday night kick-off time. It promises to be a truly intoxicating cocktail.
The Madrid summit that unlocked the Bellingham and Kane ‘brotherhood’ ➤
Guehi and Rice available to face Norway in boost for Tuchel ➤
How box-office Beckham is taking over Miami ➤ |
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Allison Pearson A redoubtable and fearless battler, she dedicated her life to championing truth. We must pray she did not also die for it Continue reading ➤
Anita Singh Prince Harry has finally found his calling: the king of TV chaos Continue reading ➤
Rowan Pelling The secret to a happy marriage? Keeping the rest of the world out of it Continue reading ➤ |
To make sure you don’t miss our newsletters when they land in your inbox, click here. |
You might as well ask about Ernie Wise without Eric Morecambe. Or the status of the Vatican without a pope. This week’s events may force Nigel Farage’s biggest supporters to start thinking the unthinkable: who would replace him if he walks away from Reform UK, and what would his departure mean for the party he leaves behind? For subscribers only ➤ |
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Andrew Crook, a chippy owner, says he’s seeing far more diversity of fish on his menu |
As climate change heats the seas around Britain, the waters are becoming a haven for some species and uninhabitable for others, writes Patrick Galbraith. Cod are heading north in search of cold-water plankton, while populations of anchovies, bluefin tuna and octopus are surging. Your typical chippy is undergoing a sea-change, diversifying its menu with species such as sea bass and dogfish. Could this help to save a declining industry? Continue reading ➤ |
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Uma Thurman in Kill Bill Vol 1 |
John Wick or Mad Max? Jason Statham or Tom Cruise? Fight scene or car chase? Cinema’s tough nuts battle it out in Telegraph critic Tim Robey’s ranking of the most adrenaline-pumping action films of all time. If your favourite’s not there, feel free to fight it out in the comments or send us an email. Continue reading ➤ |
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Can you really add healthy years to your life? Longevity expert Michael Clinton has spent two years interviewing the world’s leading researchers. Here, he shares the practical advice they all agree on, from the best exercise to how much you should really be eating. For subscribers only ➤ Here is another article that I hope you’ll find helpful this morning:
- From fruity to truffle-infused, our Wine and Drinks Correspondent has selected the very best flavoured gins, and the ones to avoid.
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Do you have plans for this weekend? Whether you’re staying in or going out, we’ve got you covered. Every week, Diana Henry, The Telegraph’s award-winning cookery writer, brings you three recipes for a perfect weekend meal. Meanwhile, William Sitwell shares his view from the culinary world – and a recommendation or two.
If you’re staying in...
Hibiscus agua fresca can be made using dried hibiscus flowers or hibiscus tea bags |
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Diana Henry Food writer |
A weekend of cooling food is in order. One of my favourite cold drinks is hibiscus agua fresca, made using dried hibiscus flowers or hibiscus tea bags (you can easily get the tea bags in supermarkets these days). I keep a big bag of the dried flowers in the larder. They just need to be simmered to produce a brilliant crimson liquid. I add minimal sugar and keep the drink in the fridge all day. It’s made in both Mexico and the Caribbean. Pretend you’re on holiday!
Salmorejo is a fresh tomato soup from southern Spain |
There are so many chilled soups, but I tend to go for the less well-known. Salmorejo is a Spanish cold soup and one with a bit of heft as it’s served with strips of Serrano ham and chopped boiled egg. It’s quite different to traditional gazpacho as it’s thicker. Chuck a few ice cubes in it before you take it to the table.
Last week, the heat was so unrelenting that I bought a Solero for the first time in years. It got me thinking about ice lollies, ice cream and sundaes. You can make the original knickerbocker glory but there are so many combinations that you can give yourself a different treat from now until the end of the summer. This “Sicilian” sundae – completely made up – has pistachio ice cream as its focus. What is it with pistachios? For years we more or less ignored them, but now the shops are full of pistachio chocolate, pistachio butter and pistachio cream. It’s one of the most expensive nuts so concentrate on its flavour as you’re eating this. The Sicilian town of Bronte grows particularly good ones.
Easy-peasy ice cream sundaes |
Find me here every Saturday and in my Recipes newsletter, which you can sign up to here.
If you’re eating out, make sure you pick a good bottle of wine to go with the meal. William Sitwell’s column this week might be of assistance.
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William Sitwell |
It’s one thing attempting to maintain high professional standards – from kitchen hygiene to a well-laid table – but as a restaurateur I increasingly find myself burdened by my own personal hang-ups too.
I cannot help but impose them at The White Hart, because these are the values and ideals which underpin my vision for the business. You see, I’m a wine snob. I’m the son of a big sipper and a person in constant and thirsty pursuit of great sips and knowledge.
Anyone who knows anything about wine knows that this search will never be fully satisfied, which is the point and the fun of it. It also comes with rules and restrictions. After some 40 years of experimenting – our father encouraged my siblings and me to enjoy wine from early on, and by 15 I regularly shared a glass with him at the dinner table – I have concluded that life is too short for a poor sip.
That moment, be it midday or 7pm, of a first sniff and glug should never be wasted, which means a good wine in a proper glass. The latter I have imposed on my restaurant without issue (except that, as I have written, they’re so nice that folk pinch them). As for the wine, it’s more complicated.
Read William’s full column ➤ |
Food, glorious foodEvery weekday, Orlando Bird, our loyal reader correspondent, shares an off-piste topic that has brought out the best of your opinions and stories. Orlando writes...
Thanks to everyone who replied to this week’s newsletters. In response to Thursday’s edition, you’ve been hymning the glories of British food. Forget the cheap jibes of the French (and, more recently, The New York Times): the time has come to cast off our longstanding culinary cringe.
Readers have praised pork pies and lauded lard. “My speciality”, writes Shannon Carr, “is good old-fashioned shepherd’s or cottage pie. Lots of seasoning and veg, depending on which you make. Creamy mash with a bit of cheese as well. My grandchildren loved it and always asked for more. No supermarket ready meals in this house.”
Another reader recalls: “One memory from my 1950s Manchester childhood is of Mum making a Sunday special of suet plum duff and custard, using late-season Victoria plums when the price had dropped.
“Her other masterpiece was wimberry pie, but this was very occasional as wimberries were expensive and not often available. Woe betide anyone who dropped it on the tablecloth.”
There was also a distinctly patriotic flavour to the replies to Monday’s edition on the golden age (or ages) of television. Yes, the Americans might have a bit of a knack for prestige drama, but our own offerings are not to be sniffed at.
Alan Wild writes: “My favourite drama/comedy series from the 1980s to the present include Rumpole of the Bailey, Inspector Morse and The Other Bennet Sister.”
Meanwhile, Laura Soto Barra, writing from Maryland, contended: “Foyle’s War is better than any American series. We’ve watched it three times and we always love it. Second for us is Inspector Morse.” That’s all from me for this week, folks. I’ll be back on Monday to bring you the best Telegraph talking points. In the meantime, you can contact me here. |
Andrew Baker’s Saturday quiz |
Have you been paying attention to our newsletters this week?
1. Who was the self-confessedly “rusty” guest host on LBC’s 10am-1pm slot the morning after England’s match against Mexico?
2. Released 30 years ago, Wannabe was the wacky, nonsensical debut single of which band?
3. What is Tim Spector, our health expert, now taking after avoiding them for almost a decade?
4. A popular conspiracy theory holds that surveillance drones are all around us, disguised as what?
5. Which actor is “divine” in the title role of the new West End production of Jesus Christ Superstar?
Plus, can you tackle The 1% Club? Scroll down to see if you got the questions right – and play for free on our website and app.
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1960 | To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is published
1982 | Italy beat West Germany 3-1 to win the World Cup (and the sports back page from the following day below)
2015 | Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán escapes from a maximum-security prison in Mexico
Birthdays: Caroline Wozniacki (36), Craig Charles (62), Mark Lester (68)
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Find as many words as you can in today’s Panagram, including the nine-letter solution. Visit Telegraph Puzzles to play a range of head-scratching games, including The 1% Club, Cogs, and Quick, Mini or Cryptic Crosswords.
Yesterday’s Panagram was DEHYDRATE. Come back tomorrow for the solution to today’s puzzle. |
Thank you for reading. Have a fulfilling day and I hope to see you tomorrow. Chris Evans, Editor
P.S. Please send me your thoughts on this newsletter. You can email me at fromtheeditor@telegraph.co.uk. |
Quiz answers:
- Angela Rayner
- The Spice Girls
- Statins
- Birds
- Sam Ryder
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