Tributes paid to ‘forthright and fearless’ Ann Widdecombe

Former Conservative minister, Brexit Party MEP and Reform UK figure remembered as counter-terror police lead murder investigation

Tributes have been paid to Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister, Brexit Party MEP and Reform UK figure, after her death at the age of 78.

The Home Secretary led tributes in the Commons, describing Widdecombe as “forthright and fearless” and “one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics”.

Widdecombe, who served as MP for Maidstone and later Maidstone and The Weald for 23 years, was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, after sustaining serious injuries.

Police have opened a murder investigation, with counter-terrorism officers now leading the inquiry after what they described as new information and evidence.

A 28-year-old white British man is in custody, according to the Home Secretary, who told MPs he was not known to the Prevent anti-extremism programme.

Police have urged the public not to speculate about the motive while the investigation continues.

In a statement to the House of Commons, Shabana Mahmood said: “Ann Widdecombe dedicated her life to politics and public service.

“For nearly 40 years, she was a fixture of our political life. She brought conviction to our politics, grounded in her profound Catholic faith.

“She was forthright in her opinions, and argued courageously for the things she believed in.

“But, perhaps most of all, she brought an inimitable style to politics.”

Mahmood said Widdecombe “did not take herself too seriously” and had reached “beyond this place” to charm the country.

She added: “She was one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics.”

Widdecombe served in Sir John Major’s government as employment minister and prisons minister.

She later became shadow home secretary and was known for her combative Commons style, strong social conservatism and memorable clashes with political opponents.

Her most famous political line came in 1997, when she said former Home Secretary Michael Howard had “something of the night about him”.

After leaving the Commons in 2010, Widdecombe became one of Britain’s most recognisable political media figures.

She was a runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother, a frequent television panellist, and also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing with Anton Du Beke.

One judge likened her to a “Dalek in drag” but her popularity with the audience took her to the ninth week.

Her management team, Cloud9 Management, said she “loved the cut and thrust of political debate” and was a “consummate professional”.

It said: “Never afraid to send herself up, Ann loved her musical tribute by Victoria Wood and was always game for a laugh, happy to play up to her public persona as a grumpy old woman or the panto villain.”

The statement added: “For many, of course, she will be best (or worst?) remembered for her unforgettable appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, defying the judges week-after-week as the public delighted in her unsuccessful attempts to follow the choreography of the long-suffering Anton Du Beke.”

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, described Widdecombe as “a formidable politician who was never afraid to speak her mind and fought hard for what she believed”.

She said: “Always true to herself, her politics were strongly guided by her faith and her values. Rest in Peace, Ann.”

Badenoch later said the Conservative Party was “reeling” from the news.

She said: “She was a very fun and feisty person, who spoke her mind.

“She was 78 years old, she was an elderly woman, I don’t understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person.

“It was a nasty, horrific attack and my heart is breaking for her family.”

Boris Johnson called Widdecombe “a heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker who could move Tory audiences to such ecstasy that she was a very hard act to follow”.

Jeremy Vine described her as “one of the most extraordinary politicians of the age” and said she had been “so much a part” of his life on air.

Widdecombe was born in Bath and entered Parliament in 1987.

She represented Maidstone, later Maidstone and The Weald, until 2010.

A committed Catholic and social conservative, she opposed abortion, assisted dying and several LGBT rights reforms, including equalising the age of consent and repealing Section 28.

She later became a prominent Brexiteer and was elected to the European Parliament for the Brexit Party in 2019, representing South West England until 2020.

In 2023 she joined Reform UK and later served as the party’s immigration and justice spokesperson.

Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said Widdecombe had been an “absolute force of nature”.

He told TalkTV: “She never let anyone… with any doubt in their minds at all where she stood on all the great issues of the day, and she was formidable too.

“I mean, I can tell you, the times when I used to get a phone call from Ann, abrupt Ann on the phone, saying she disagreed with what I’d done or what I’d said.”

Mahmood told MPs that Widdecombe’s outlook on life was best captured by her own words during an appearance on Graham Norton’s sofa.

She quoted Widdecombe saying: “We get one go this side of eternity – one go.

“Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it.”

Mahmood said: “Ann took her opportunities.

“She was the proud MP for Maidstone for 23 years – a champion of her constituents.

“She served the country, in government, as Minister for Employment and then Prisons Minister.

“She took politics out of these ancient walls. And became a bone fide TV star.

“Her contribution to our politics and our national life will never be forgotten.”

The investigation into Widdecombe’s death was initially led by Devon and Cornwall Police.

But it emerged yesterday that counter-terrorism policing has now taken the lead, with officers saying they are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the motivation for the attack.

Laurence Taylor, head of national counter-terrorism policing, said: “We now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is leading the investigation.

“We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.”

Mahmood said the case raised questions about the security of people in public life.

She told MPs she was thinking of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, two MPs murdered while serving their constituents.

She said: “Politics is a calling, for those of us here.

“But it should not be a dangerous one.”

The Home Secretary said security measures for MPs were kept under constant review and that police intended to issue guidance to parliamentarians.

She said she had commissioned Sir Robert Buckland, the former lord chancellor, to review lessons from the murder of Sir David Amess, including security for MPs working in their constituencies.

Mahmood added: “Today is a dark day in our political life. But we must also use it as an opportunity to celebrate Ann Widdecombe’s memory.

“She was a unique figure in our politics. A distinctive and devoted public servant.

“The likes of whom we will rarely, if ever, see again.”

She added: “Ann had a profound faith. Her journey in this life has ended too soon. May she now rest in eternal peace.”

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_{Main image: Widdecombe addresses the European Parliament in July 2019 after being elected as a Brexit Party MEP for South West England. Picture: © European Union 2019/European Parliament}