Shock as former MP's death becomes murder inquiry

15 hours ago

Jacob Panonsand

Tanya Gupta,South East

Ann Widdecombe was the MP for Maidstone for 23 years

Getty Images Ann Widdecombe in a blue blazer laughing. — Ann Widdecombe was the MP for Maidstone for 23 years

Politicians have reacted with shock after a murder inquiry was launched following the death of former Maidstone MP Ann Widdecombe.

Earlier, it was announced she had died at the age of 78, before Devon and Cornwall Police launched a murder investigation and revealed she had been found with serious injuries.

After the inquiry was announced, politicians reacted with shock. Kent MP Roger Gale said the loss of a "dear friend" had turned into a murder investigation in what sounded like horrific circumstances.

The Conservative MP for Herne Bay and Sandwich, described Widdecombe as "delightfully eccentric", a formidable politician and "a very determined, very brave lady".

'Force to be reckoned with'

But he added following her death: "It's frightful. It doesn't bear thinking about."

Gale described how such an incident brought all MPs together and said: "We're a family. We lose one. We all bear the loss.

"We feel the loss very deeply indeed, in a way that people outside the House probably can't begin to understand.

"It's one for all and all for one in a case like this."

Police said Widdecombe's death was not being treated as terror-related

PA Media A police officer and another person stand on a narrow country lane beside a marked police car. Dense green hedges line both sides of the road and additional police vehicles are parked further along the lane. — Police said Widdecombe's death was not being treated as terror-related

Conservative county councillor Andrew Kennedy said his "blood ran cold" when he heard the news, asking: "Who could do this to a 78-year-old woman?"

Ex-Reform county councillor Maxine Fothergill, who now sits as a Restore Britain member, said she "adored" Widdecombe, describing her as "absolutely iconic".

She said: "She didn't have a bad bone in her body and she lived for politics."

Leader of KCC's opposition Liberal Democrat Councillor Antony Hook said: "We must hope that police can establish the facts quickly and bring to justice anyone who is responsible."

Hook, who was an MEP at the same time as Widdecombe and sat on the Home Affairs committee with her, said: "People in Maidstone have always said how much they appreciated the work she did as an MP and she will be fondly remembered even by those who disagreed with her."

Stuart Jeffery, Green Party leader of Maidstone Borough Council and a Kent county councillor, said: "The killing of any politician is awful, frankly, and it is deeply worrying."

He said it was inappropriate to comment further.

Devon and Cornwall Police later said a 26-year-old British man had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The force said Widdecombe's death was not being treated as terror-related and there was "no information" to suggest it was a "politically-motivated" crime.

Widdecombe was a Tory MP and later a Brexit Party MEP before she joined Reform UK

Getty Images Ann Widdecombe, seen in 2019 when she was elected as a Member of the European Parliament ( MEP) for South West England, wears a blue jacket and carries a shoulder bag while walking outdoors near a building. A parked vehicle and blurred background buildings can be seen behind her. — Widdecombe was a Tory MP and later a Brexit Party MEP before she joined Reform UK

Earlier, before the murder inquiry was announced, tributes had poured in for the politician.

Kent County Council (KCC) leader Linden Kemkaran said: "No one could match Ann Widdecombe for her sharp wit, warm humour, common sense, incredible insight and complete honesty. She was a force of nature."

Sally-Ann Marks, ex-chair of Widdecombe's Conservative constituency in Maidstone, said she was a "one-off" and a "force to be reckoned with".

She said Widdecombe, a former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman, also "could have been a stand-up comedian", adding: "She was incredibly funny, knew how to hold the floor and certainly did."

Widdecombe was living in a cottage on Dartmoor

PA Media A detached bungalow with cream walls and a tiled roof is viewed from behind trees and shrubs. A large front window looks into a living room, while part of a police vehicle is visible at the edge of the image. — Widdecombe was living in a cottage on Dartmoor

Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years. The former Tory prisons minister later became a Brexit Party MEP and went on to join Reform UK.

In 1997, she famously described Lord Michael Howard, then home secretary, as having "something of the night about him".

Lord Howard, the former Conservative leader and ex-MP for Folkestone and Hythe, told BBC Radio Kent the pair later made up, describing her as "formidable", "a real character", and "a good minister".

Meanwhile, Howard Cox, a campaigner for Widdecombe, said: "She should have been prime minister, there's no doubt about it.

"She should have been the second female prime minister after Margaret Thatcher."

Widdecombe became known to a wider audience through Strictly Come Dancing

Ann Widdecombe stands on a brightly lit television studio floor wearing a blue sequinned costume with silver trim and a matching necklace. Colourful stage lights and illuminated set panels are visible in the background. — Widdecombe became known to a wider audience through Strictly Come Dancing

Widdecombe was known for appearing on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing and being a runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

"It wasn't done for promotion of herself, far from it, she did it because she wanted to be in touch with people and she was a normal, decent person," Cox said.

"She was a lousy dancer, she would be the first person to say that and she would say it with a big smile on her face, but look how many people fell in love with her because of that."

Michael Keohan, BBC Radio Kent's political reporter, remembered several exchanges with the politician over the years.

"Her politics were both forthright but also colourful," he said. "I have seen both sides of Ann Widdecombe through the years."

Residents remembered her as eccentric and outspoken and a "good constituency MP"

Clockwise from top left: Steven Mummery, Caroline Cannar, Jeremy Galpin, Ann Mahoney. All four are standing outside in high streets in Kent, with traditional buildings, parked cars, flower displays and bunting, and shopfronts and trees visible in the background. — Residents remembered her as eccentric and outspoken and a "good constituency MP"

Residents in Cranbrook, which fell under her Maidstone and The Weald constituency, described her as "eccentric", "wonderful", and a "good constituency MP".

Steven Mummery, from Cranbrook, said: "Ann Widdecombe was the quintessential British person.

"She was slightly eccentric but she knew her own mind and wasn't afraid to speak up for what she believed in, even though many disagreed."

Cranbrook resident Caroline Cannar said: "Love her or loathe her, and I didn't agree with all of her politics, she was a very good constituency MP."

Jeremy Galpin, who grew up in the town, said she was "larger than life".

He added: "I didn't agree with everything she stood for, but she was trying to make a difference in her own way."

Ann Mahoney, from Sissinghurst, remembered her as a "wonderful" MP, adding: "When she was on Strictly, I hadn't laughed as much in years. Brilliant."

Staff at Haywards Heath charity Safe Haven for Donkeys said they were saddened by the loss of their patron.

A statement said Widdecombe played an "invaluable role" over 24 years in raising the charity's profile and securing much-needed funds, adding her generosity and dedication were "evident in everything she did for us".

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