AN EX-UKIP councillor has appeared in court charged with the murder of his wife who was found dead at their home.
Stephen Searle, 64, is charged with murder following the death of his 62 year old wife Anne Searle.
Mrs Searle was discovered unresponsive at The Brickfields, Stowmarket, at 10.20pm on Saturday.
A post-mortem was held on Sunday but requires further tests, police said.
Mr Searle, a retired Royal Marine, had represented Stowmarket South for UKIP on Suffolk County Council.
He told voters at the time: "It's superb to be fighting again for my country, and my people."
He won the council seat in 2013 before losing his seat earlier this year.
At Ipswich Magistrates court this morning, he spoke only to confirm his name, age, address and nationality.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Ipswich Crown Court tomorrow.