Ann Widdecombe found dead at Devon home; murder arrest made
9 reported
Ann Widdecombe, the former Conservative MP and later Reform UK spokesperson, was found dead at her Devon home on Thursday morning, the day after appearing on Talk TV to praise Nigel Farage’s decision to stand down from his Clacton parliamentary seat. The 78-year-old had sustained serious injuries, and a 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Widdecombe served 23 years as an MP, including seven as a junior minister under John Major, before stepping down in 2010. After being passed over for a peerage, she gained a new fanbase through appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and other television shows. She remained a staunch opponent of abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, and was expelled from the Conservatives in 2019 for campaigning for the Brexit party, later joining Reform UK in 2023 as its immigration and justice spokesperson.
What’s reported
Ann Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her Devon home on the morning after praising Nigel Farage’s resignation announcement on Talk TV.
She had sustained serious injuries; a 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Widdecombe was a Conservative MP for 23 years, stepping down in 2010 at age 62.
She was passed over for a peerage and later appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.
She was expelled from the Conservatives in 2019 for campaigning for the Brexit party and was later elected to the European parliament for seven months.
She joined Reform UK in 2023 as its immigration and justice spokesperson.
She remained opposed to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, including gay marriage and conversion therapy.
Anton Du Beke, her Strictly co-star, said he was “devastated” by her death.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson described her as “a heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker.”
Key figures
Ann Widdecombe: former Conservative MP, Brexit party/Reform UK politician, television personality
Nigel Farage: Reform UK leader who announced he would stand down from Clacton seat
Anton Du Beke: Strictly Come Dancing co-star
Gyles Brandreth: broadcaster and friend
Boris Johnson: former prime minister
Michael Howard: former Conservative colleague and ministerial boss
Sources: The Guardian
