Murdered woman and ex-partner worked for Home Office

Police were searching the grounds of a stately home this week for Martin Collett, 35, a former briefing manager for Labour Home Secretaries David Blunkett and Charles Clarke.

The manhunt was launched after the body of his ex-girlfriend, Angela Hoyt, 34, was found at her home in Glebeland, in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, at around 5.20pm on Tuesday.

Ms Hoyt worked as a junior member of the Home Office media team around the same time Mr Collett was employed in his private office role at the Department.

Ms Hoyt is believed to have died some time between May 22 and May 24, just days after she made a report of harassment to Hertfordshire Police.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has now launched a probe into the force’s response to the complaint.

IPCC commissioner Sarah Green said: “The IPCC is independently investigating Hertfordshire Police’s response to a report of harassment made at Hatfield Police Station on the afternoon of May 20, 2011.

“The woman who made the allegation, Angela Hoyt, was subsequently murdered and there is an ongoing police operation to trace her former partner.

“Therefore at this stage we will not be issuing any further information, and I would encourage any members of the public who can help the police find him to contact them immediately.”

Around 30 specialist officers scoured the grounds of Hatfield House in Hertfordshire on Friday after receiving information about a man seen in the area.

Det Chief Insp Mark Ross of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit said: “Understandably this is an extremely difficult time for Angela’s family and it is vital we trace Martin Collett as soon as possible.”

Ms Hoyt, who was born in Windsor in Ontario, Canada, had recently returned from three months in Pakistan as part of her work with the Red Cross.