Fresh CCTV footage has emerged showing a man suspected of murdering former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe leaving an address linked to him on the morning detectives believe the veteran politician was killed.

The video, which has become a key focus of the ongoing investigation, appears to capture the 28-year-old suspect getting into a red car while carrying what witnesses described as a “wooden pole” before setting off on a journey police believe ended nearly 300 miles away in rural Devon.

Miss Widdecombe, 78, was discovered dead inside her isolated bungalow in the village of Haytor on Thursday morning after suffering serious injuries. Detectives believe she was fatally attacked at around midday on Wednesday, almost 24 hours before her body was found.

A man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was arrested on suspicion of murder following an intensive police operation. Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed they are not currently searching for any additional suspects and continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing.

The newly surfaced CCTV footage, first obtained by The Sun, reportedly shows the suspect leaving a property shortly after 7am on Wednesday.

Neighbours who witnessed the departure claimed they saw the man placing “some kind of wooden pole” into the passenger side of a red vehicle before driving away.

Investigators are understood to be examining whether the object seen in the footage has any significance to the murder inquiry, although police have not publicly commented on whether it is believed to have been used in the attack.

The journey from the Rotherham address to Miss Widdecombe’s remote home on Dartmoor is estimated to take around four hours by road, matching the timeline detectives are currently examining as they reconstruct the suspect’s movements.

Forensic officers remained at the Rotherham property throughout the weekend, with police tape surrounding the terraced house as specialists carried out detailed searches both inside and outside the address.

Several marked and unmarked police vehicles remained stationed nearby while investigators collected evidence.

Residents of Kimberworth Park described being stunned by the dramatic police operation.

Courtney Foster, 25, who lives nearby, said the man rarely left the property and had largely kept himself to himself since moving into the area.

“He rarely comes out of the house,” she said.

“His dad used to do everything for him and I don’t know what he did for a living.

“I think once his dad died he went a bit loopy.”

She also described the arrest as being unusually noisy for the normally quiet residential street.

“It was really loud,” she recalled.

“They took his dog as well. I think it was a labradoodle.”

Other neighbours painted a picture of a shy and reserved young man who had lived at the address for at least a year.

Several residents suggested he may have had learning difficulties, while others recalled his family being well known locally.

One neighbour, whose child attended school with members of the family, described the suspect as polite and timid during his younger years.

“They were three lovely boys as children,” she said.

“They were all very well brought up.

“At school he was timid, well-mannered and reserved.”

Another resident admitted the scale of the police response had left the neighbourhood shaken.

“There were loads of unmarked police cars and loads of people ran into the house,” the neighbour said.

“I feel quite sick, to tell you the truth.”

Separate CCTV footage later released by The Sun captured the suspect’s arrest.

The video appears to show armed officers wearing balaclavas entering the property before escorting the suspect outside.

He is then seen climbing into a waiting police van without any apparent resistance.

Senior detectives have continued to stress that the investigation remains at an early stage.

Speaking during a press conference, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said officers were keeping an open mind regarding the motive while urging the public not to speculate.

“At this point there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident,” he said.

“At this point we are not looking at anyone else in connection with this murder.”

He added that detectives remained open-minded regarding why Miss Widdecombe had been targeted.

“At this stage there is nothing to suggest it was politically motivated.”

Despite those assurances, figures within Reform UK have questioned whether the veteran politician’s political profile could have made her a target.

Party officials are reportedly reviewing emails and correspondence sent to Miss Widdecombe in the weeks leading up to her death in an attempt to identify any threats or suspicious messages.

The party has also announced plans to strengthen security arrangements for its MPs following the killing.

Deputy leader Richard Tice called for regular updates from investigators as the inquiry progresses.

“In order to assuage any concern, keep us updated at least once a day,” he said.

The investigation has also reignited debate over the safety of politicians.

Reform has argued that proposed changes to political donation rules could leave smaller parties struggling to fund adequate security for elected representatives.

The party claims privately funded protection currently fills gaps where no state-funded security is provided.

A Reform source argued that reducing donation limits would make it significantly harder to maintain those arrangements.

“Labour MPs will be voting to put the lives of Reform politicians in danger,” the source claimed, referring to proposed amendments expected to be debated in Parliament.

Political leaders and supporters gathered in Haytor over the weekend to pay tribute to Miss Widdecombe.

Flowers, handwritten messages and wreaths were placed near her Devon home as mourners reflected on her decades of public service.

Richard Tice joined senior Reform figures including Lee Anderson, Danny Kruger and Zia Yusuf to lay floral tributes.

Describing the former minister’s legacy, Mr Tice said: “We have lost an absolute colossus, a legend in our lifetime.

“Ann Widdecombe was unique.

“She was adored by millions.”

Miss Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone, later Maidstone and the Weald, between 1987 and 2010.

During Sir John Major’s premiership she held several ministerial roles before later becoming one of Britain’s most recognisable political commentators.

She left the Conservative Party in 2019, joining the Brexit Party in protest over delays to Britain’s departure from the European Union.

She subsequently became a prominent supporter and spokesperson for Reform UK, remaining an outspoken voice on national political issues long after leaving Parliament.

As detectives continue examining CCTV footage, forensic evidence and witness statements, investigators hope to establish exactly what happened during the final hours before Miss Widdecombe’s death and determine what, if any, motive lay behind the fatal attack.

The 28-year-old suspect remains in police custody while inquiries continue. Authorities have urged anyone with information relevant to the investigation to contact officers as they work to build a complete picture of the events leading up to the killing.