'Widdecombe murder inquiry' and 'Strike Norse'

14 hours ago

News image — The murder inquiry of former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe leads all the front pages. The Daily Telegraph writes "the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform spokesman was found dead in a pool of blood in her Dartmoor bungalow on Thursday". Police have since arrested a "26-year-old white British man", according to the paper, who remains under questioning "on suspicion of murder".

"Widdecombe murder inquiry," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Telegraph. — The murder inquiry of former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe leads all the front pages. The Daily Telegraph writes "the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform spokesman was found dead in a pool of blood in her Dartmoor bungalow on Thursday". Police have since arrested a "26-year-old white British man", according to the paper, who remains under questioning "on suspicion of murder".

"'Abject terror' of murdered Widdecombe," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Mail. — "Abject terror" is the Daily Mail's headline, referring to the "shock" expressed by Widdecombe's family in the wake of her death. It adds that it was a gardener who found her with serious head injuries at her home on Thursday, as "fears for her wellbeing had been raised after she failed to turn up for a TV appearance".

"Politicians tell of shock at Widdecombe 'killing'," reads the headline on the front page of the Guardian. — "Politicians tell of shock at Widdecombe 'killing'," writes the Guardian, which reports that police do not believe "that the killing was politically motivated" after counter-terrorism officers ruled it out. A separate headline reads "at least 12 die in Almería wildfire", four of whom authorities believe are British, describing it as one of "Spain's deadliest wildfires".

The headline on the front page of the Times reads: "Man, 26, arrested over Widdecombe 'murder'." — Continuing with political reactions, the Times quotes outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer insisting it was a moment "to rise above our differences". Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says he was "deeply, deeply upset" and warning "things have become even more dangerous" for those in politics, according to the paper.

"Murder probe after Ann attacked at home," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Express. — The Daily Express pays tribute to Ann Widdecombe as a "legendary Brexiteer and Express columnist" in its lead story about her murder investigation.

"Widdecombe murdered at her home, police believe," reads the headline on the front page of the i Weekend. — The i Weekend says the prime minister and political leaders remember Widdecombe as a "distinguished politician", with the paper remarking she "delighted millions" when she appeared on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2010. Meanwhile, another story says the sole contender for the Labour leadership Andy Burnham will set out his plans to "target energy bills, bus fares and student loans within days of entering No 10".

"Murder arrest after Ann Widdecombe found dead at home," reads the headline on the front page of the Independent. — The main photograph on the Independent's front page shows Ann Widdecombe "enjoying her Devon retreat" that the paper says "became a crime scene".

"Widdecombe 'murder' arrest," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Mirror. — "Strictly star 'killing' shock," reads the Daily Mirror's top story. Separately, "Strike Norse" embedding a photo of England's Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, previewing "Lions ready to roar past Norway into the semis" of the World Cup.

"MP Ann: Murder suspect arrested," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Star. — "MP Ann: Murder suspect arrested," the Daily Star says.

"Ann 'beaten to death'," reads the headline on the front page of the Sun. — "Shock over ex-MP & Strictly star" the Sun says. In its World Cup preview of Norway v England, the paper writes: "Today is gonna be the day that we're gonna row it back to you", a reference to the Viking Row celebration playfully altering Oasis's Wonderwall lyrics.

"EasyJet agrees £5.7bn sale to Apollo," reads the headline on the front page of the Financial Times. — Finally, the Financial Times leads with the investor firm Apollo securing "a deal to buy EasyJet for £5.7bn, in a last-minute twist to the takeover battle for the low-cost airline". The move "gatecrashed" an earlier £5.5bn agreement between EasyJet and US private credit group Castlelake, marking what the paper calls "the latest episode in a protracted takeover saga".

The death of Ann Widdecombe, and the subsequent murder investigation launched by the police, is on the front pages of all the morning papers.

The Times says it understands that detectives are looking at whether Widdecombe was killed after hearing an intruder at her property and going to investigate.

The Sun says it believes an image of the alleged murderer was caught on CCTV cameras which were installed at her house in Dartmoor, where she had lived since 2008.

Comments made by the leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage, whose party Widdecombe was a member of, are highlighted by the Telegraph. It quotes him as saying that he fears that "for anyone in public life, or especially the political space, things have become even more dangerous". The paper says it understands that in the wake of the murder, security officials are in discussions about whether Reform politicians need more protection.

The Guardian reports that Labour MPs have been warned by one of the country's biggest trade unions not to vote for a cap on political donations, saying it could endanger union funding for the party. The paper says the GMB union has written to its affiliated MPs urging them not to back changes, that would see donations capped at either £100,000 or £1m. The measures will be voted on next week.

The Financial Times says the low-cost airline EasyJet has reached an agreement in principle to be taken over by the private equity firm Apollo for £5.7bn. The paper says the US firm's offer trumps an agreed deal made earlier by the private credit group Castlelake, which it says had until the beginning of August to make a "formal offer". The FT quotes one EasyJet shareholder as saying that they hoped Apollo's move might spark a "bidding war" for the airline.

And all of the papers are looking ahead to Saturday's World Cup quarter-final between England and Norway in Miami. The Mirror has spoken to "superfan" Peter Robinson, who still has his ticket from when the two teams met at Wembley in September 1980, a game which England won 4-0. The ticket cost him just £3.50, whereas, according to the paper, the cheapest available ticket for Saturday's game is £1,500.

'Widdecombe murder inquiry' and 'Strike Norse'

Daily Express

Daily Mail

Daily Mirror

Daily Star

Daily Telegraph

Financial Times

Guardian

Independent

Metro

Sun

The i

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