Ann Widdecombe’s last messages revealed in haunting alternate as she wrote ‘panic over!’ earlier than loss of life
The former politician and Strictly Come Dancing alum was due to speak on ITV Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show, and communicated with a producer moments before her death
Widdecombe was due to appear on ITV the day she died(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Ann Widdecombe’s final text exchange has been revealed, and she said “panic over!” in a message to television producers before she died last week.
Police are investigating whether the former Conservative, Brexit Party and Reform politician was murdered after she found dead at her home in Hayton Vale, Devon, on Thursday, nearly 24 hours after police believe she died at 12.30pm on Wednesday. She had been due to appear in a television interview that day, ITV revealed, around the time she was believed to have been attacked by an unknown assailant.
The network has released correspondence between a producer of Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show – on which she was due to appear via Zoom – and the politician, who was asked: “Is everything ok Ann?” as she likely lay dead.
ITV, which previously confirmed having been in communication with Widdecombe moments before her death, revealed her last text and the panicked response of a producer hoping to have her contribute to the Channel 5 show. The full text exchange published by the network shows that she had said “panic over!” just 12 minutes before she died.
The full text exchange
12.14pm: Researcher: Not yet. Looked a few seconds ago! (12:14)
12.15pm: Researcher: Hi they said they sent it to you, but maybe it’s to the wrong email address
12.15pm: Anne Widdecombe: We spoke. Sorry for the confusion. I can see now that what I refused today was extra time!! Old age is a terrible thing.
12.15pm: Researcher: Would you mind sending me the address you’d like to receive it from
12.15pm: Anne Widdecombe: We spoke. Sorry for the confusion. I can see now that what I refused today was extra time!! Old age is a terrible thing.
12.16pm: Researcher: Haha no problem!
12.16pm: Anne Widdecombe: It is the usual one that you always use. [email address blurred]
12.17pm: Researcher: That’s strange they did send it t[o] that address
12.17pm: Researcher: At 9:20 this morning
12.17pm: Researcher: I’ll send it to you now
12.18pm: Anne Widdecombe: It is the usual one that you always use [email address blurred]
12.18pm: Researcher: Just sent to this address, let me know if you’ve got it
12.19pm: Anne Widdecombe: Received! Panic over!!
12.19pm: Researcher: Amazing! Let me know if there’s any issues
12:48pm Researcher: Hi Ann could you join the zoom now please
12.53pm: Voice call — No answer
12.55pm: Researcher: Hi Ann is everything okay?
1.05pm: Voice call — No answer
1.14pm: Voice call — No answer
Widdecombe’s final televised appearance was on a TalkTV broadcast on Wednesday morning, during which she spoke about the upcoming Clacton by-election.
Devon and Cornwall Police have launched a manhunt for Widdecombe’s possible killer after releasing a previous suspect, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, from police custody on Saturday morning. The service’s Assistant Chief Constable, Matt Longman, said in an update this afternoon, however, that no further information would be issued regarding the investigation.
Pictures from the scene show a sizeable police contingent remains in the area around Widdecombe’s house, both inside the property, around the Hayton community, and beyond, including the Dartmoor moors.
Nigel Farage, who said he was expecting Widdecombe to help him campaign for his upcoming byelection in Clacton, made an appearance in the town today where he spoke about bringing her suspected killer to justice. He said: “Whatever the outcome of the motives of a killer, and let’s just hope and pray, this is not a Jill Dando type case where they don’t find a person.
“I believe with modern technology they will.” Asked for a message to the at-large killer, the Reform leader said: “There are no words that I can utter that somebody who’s committed this act of barbarity against an innocent 78-year-old lady who wouldn’t harm a fly.
“I just hope that the killer is caught as quickly as possible and brought to justice, that’s all I can say.”
