Reform UK leader Nigel Farage believes his friend Ann Widdecombe was killed in a "premeditated murder" and that a mystery car was seen on the driveway of her home five minutes before the time police think she was attacked.

Ann also sent a message to a TV researcher just 11 minutes before police believe suspect she was murdered in her own home in Dartmoor, Devon. The text to a Channel 5 researcher was received at 12.19pm on Wednesday July 8. The researcher did not hear back from Ann from another text sent at 12.48pm and no more communication was received. Ann was found dead the next day (Thursday July 9) at around 11.40am. She was found dead with reported head injuries in the home she lived in alone in Haytor

Devon and Cornwall Police said they believe Ann was attacked at around 12.30pm and said enquiries are "moving at pace for a suspect who is believed to be a white male". A 26-year-old white British man who was arrested at an address in Newton Abbot on suspicion of the murder of Ann on Friday was released from custody on Saturday.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage visited Haytor to pay tribute to his friend and colleague and he revealed his theory about the investigation.

According to The Sun, Mr Farage said he believed the attack on Ann was "premeditated murder" and he added that a car had parked on the late politician’s driveway just five minutes before police theorise she was murdered at her rural Devon home.

Speaking to reporters, he said his political party has been going through its emails to check for patterns of abuse directed at Ann, but has not been able to find anything.

He added: "One theory doing the rounds is that it was a burglary gone wrong. But a car went onto the drive at approximately 12.25-12.30 on Wednesday.

“She had done one interview in the morning… She was due to do another one at 1pm. So if you were a burglar, would you literally drive your car onto someone’s drive?

“From what I can see of it, from what I make out, this was premeditated murder."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged people to come together across political divides following the murder.

He said he had spoken to his likely successor Andy Burnham, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK’s Mr Farage to “urge everybody to come together at a moment like this”.

Conservative leader Mrs Badenoch said she “really struggled to find the words to say” following Miss Widdecombe’s death.

“I don’t understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person. It was a nasty, horrific attack and my heart is breaking for her family,” she added.

In a statement released on Saturday evening, Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said: “I want to start with expressing my thanks to the local community and to the people who have come forward so far with their information.

“We have been working at pace on this investigation.

“Officers are making progress and are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.

“At this time, we have made the active decision not to release further information, including descriptions of any potential suspects or releasing CCTV footage.

“Releasing such information prematurely could compromise ongoing inquiries and may prejudice future investigative opportunities.”

He said the decision not to disclose further details is made on an “operational basis”, adding that the force will release information to the public when it is “appropriate and necessary”.

“I would ask the public again, please do not to speculate on social media,” he continued.