Sky presenter apologises after calling Ann Widdecombe ‘spinster’ and ‘an outdated maid’
Ex- Sky presenter Adam Boulton has made a u-turn, apologising for the “seriously wrong and insensitive” remarks he made on live television in the wake of her body being found.
Mr Boulton made the comments live on air(Image: Sky news)
A political commentator has been forced to apologise after sparking fury over comments made describing the late Ann Widdecombe amid a murder probe into her death.
Ex-Sky presenter Adam Boulton has made a u-turn, apologising for the “seriously wrong and insensitive” remarks he made on live television in the wake of her body being found.
He labelled the former Tory minister, who was found dead at her Dartmoor home, a “spinster” and “old maid” on live television.
The presenter, who described himself as a “reporter who knew her for decades”, was branded “truly vile” for the comments and initially refused to apologise for any offence he had caused.
But in a u-turn, just 24 hours later he seemed to have seen the error of his ways.
He said on Saturday: “I got the timing and tone of my initial word portrait of her wrong. Of course I shared, and share, the horror at her murder and the respect for her remarkable and feisty political career.
“I also know that many people loved her for her subsequent showbiz stardom. Her untimely death is a horrible thing.”
Speaking on live television after news of the murder probe, he said of Ms Widdecombe: “She was very much a spinster, by the end I think you’d probably describe her as an old maid. Reportedly, she claimed that she was a virgin.”
In an apology shared to X, Mr Boulton added: “My mistaken view was that in the context of rolling news coverage, I was being asked to contribute as an obituarist who has known her and interacted with her since the 1980s. This approach was premature.
“At no point was I expressing my personal feelings about her, that’s not what I do. I was discussing her life in the round, based on the record of known facts and what she has said about herself, along with some recollections of our personal interactions.
“My choice of words on the spur of the moment was clumsy. I did not intend to offend though obviously I did.”
Former Tory chancellor and Reform UK member, Nadhim Zahawi hit out at Mr Boulton’s initial comments, writing on X: “I hope Adam apologises and retracts these vile remarks immediately. Awful, twisted and utterly without decency.”
Mr Boulton responded on Friday: “No thanks. I stick to the facts. You and your ilk should stop trying to exploit the horrific death of a national personality. Police say no evidence of political or terror motive.”
Former Olympic swimmer and women’s rights activist Sharron Davies waded in on the debate, writing: “These men are truly vile… (don’t like women with views).
“Lots of things I disagreed with Ann Widdecombe on, but these are very unpleasant & unnecessary comments. Committed to her beliefs & extremely hard working would have also sufficed. When people show you who they are, believe them.”
He later retracted the comment on X, apologising and writing: “My mistaken view was that in the context of rolling news coverage, I was being asked to contribute as an obituarist who has known her and interacted with her since the 1980s.
“This approach was premature. At no point was I expressing my personal feelings about her, that’s not what I do.
“I was discussing her life in the round, based on the record of known facts and what she has said about herself, along with some recollections of our personal interactions.
“My choice of words on the spur of the moment was clumsy. I did not intend to offend though obviously I did.”
Ms Widdecombe had previously described herself as “toothy, dumpy, and a spinster”.
A manhunt is currently underway to find her killer after a 26-year-old British man arrested on suspicion of her murder on Friday was released and is “no longer part of the investigation”.
It was revealed earlier that she had failed to show up for a planned video interview with Channel 5 on Wednesday afternoon and could not be reached, despite multiple efforts to contact her.
