Ann Widdecombe attacked nearly 24 hours before she was found dead, police say

Earlier on Saturday, the force announced a 26-year-old white British man, who had been arrested on Friday on suspicion of murdering the former MP, had been released from custody and was "no longer part of the investigation".

By afternoon, Devon and Cornwall Police had issued a statement, revealing that a murder investigation had been launched and they were looking for a suspect believed to be a white British man.

Local residents have been reeling following news of the attack, with one woman who lives near Widdecombe's home in Haytor telling PA news agency the area was "very safe" and it was not unusual for people to leave their cars and front doors unlocked.