Thin Blue Line and House of the Dragon actor James Dreyfus has defended the late politician, Ann Widdecombe. Taking to X on Saturday, the BBC star replied to journalist Andrew Clark's latest tweet, in which he wrote: "Let's not forget Ann Widdecombe's deeply bigoted view that heterosexual marriage was the 'preferred model' of society and that gay lifestyles were 'inferior'."

Responding on the platform, Dreyfus retweeted Clark's comment. "Probably worth bearing in mind that other religions are available, whose views on homosexuality remain far more worrisome than anything she believed," he noted.

"She had many gay friends, who didn't necessarily agree with her on everything, but were intelligent enough to understand that mild disapproval, due to her religious convictions, was NOT a barrier to years of friendship, laughter & mutual admiration."

Dreyfus' tweet comes just days after Widdecombe, a former Tory politician and Reform campaigner, was murdered at her home in Haytor, Devon. While the 78-year-old was found with serious injuries on Thursday, police now believe that she was attacked on Wednesday around 12.30pm.

Initially, a 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with the murder, however, police have since confirmed his release and announced that he is no longer a part of the investigation. In a new development, a 28-year-old suspect was later arrested on Saturday evening in South Yorkshire.

"We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was arrested at an address in the South Yorkshire area this evening (July 11) on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe," police said in a statement. "The suspect, who is a white British national, is now in police custody. Ms Widdecombe's family have been informed of this development."

Following Widdecombe's death, it is understood that Reform UK has arranged around the clock protection for senior politicians. While the party has taken measures to protect MPs, police have reiterated that they have no reason to believe the attack on Widdecombe was politically motivated.