Former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, who was a Strictly Come Dancing contestant in 2010, has died aged 78, and police have since arrested a man on suspicion of murder
Ann Widdecombe made a trip to the Channel Islands in what would be her final television appearance. At the time, the former Tory MP delivered a withering assessment of those who “moan” about Brexit.
The star, who famously graced the Strictly dance floor, had attended a Ladies Lunch club in Jersey as guest speaker just weeks before her death, aged 78.
Speaking to ITV, she quipped that Reform UK and the namesake Reform parties in the Channel Islands were “slightly different”. And when asked to offer one piece of advice to candidates for the region’s forthcoming elections, she said: “Tell the truth. The public doesn’t want you to tell them what you think they want to hear.”
Addressing residents’ concerns on the Islands about the impacts of Brexit, Widdecombe emphasised the significance of “sovereignty”. “I’d say to them that I believe that Britain should make its own laws, control its own borders, should make its own trade deals which it’s been doing since Brexit.”
She went on to say that “there are huge Brexit benefits” and took aim at those who “moan” about queuing at airport e-gates with her trademark frankness.
“We’re the nation that endured the Blitz, we fought for six years to be free and now you’re saying that it’s worth giving up our sovereignty so you can get through the e-gates quicker? I mean spare me, spare me!”
Widdecombe also reflected on her stint on the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing, having appeared on the programme in 2010 when she was partnered with Anton du Beke.
She danced her way through to week nine, delivering some hilarious performances along the way. She said: “Strictly led to a live tour with Craig Revel Horwood, that led to pantomime, that led to an appearance at the Royal Opera House and it just didn’t stop!”
Then just over 24 hours before her death, former MP and MEP Ann Widdecombe spoke passionately in what was to become her final public appearance.
Miss Widdecombe, a Reform UK spokeswoman, appeared on the TalkTV streaming channel on Wednesday morning, vehemently defending her party’s leader Nigel Farage amid ongoing scrutiny of financial support he and his outfit have received.
Speaking to Mark Dolan by video-link just after 8am on Wednesday, the ex-Tory prisons minister, 78, said she did not anticipate Mr Farage triggering a by-election in his Essex constituency, but said it was “the right course to take”.
Miss Widdecombe spent much of the 12-minute interview expressing her support for Mr Farage and rejected the suggestion that the by-election was “student politics” or “pantomime” – as Mr Farage’s foremost opponent in Clacton is likely to be comedy candidate Count Binface after the main Westminster parties boycotted the contest.
“No, it’s very serious politics,” she told the programme. “It’s up to the other parties whether they stand or not. We know why they’re not – they’re threatened.
“They know darn well they can’t beat Nigel. They don’t want to spend their resources campaigning and all the rest of it when they know they can’t beat him.”
Issuing a statement on her death, her management said: “It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.
“Her life and career were driven by her strong Christian values and commitment to public service. She loved the cut and thrust of political debate and, 16 years after leaving Parliament, was still actively campaigning for Reform UK.
“Ann was a valued patron of many causes, particularly her animal charities. As Ann once said on The Graham Norton Show, ‘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, that’s my philosophy’.
“We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends. We ask that the family’s wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected.” Devon and Cornwall Police have since confirmed that they have arrested a white British man, 26, on suspicion of murder.
Police said it remained “open-minded” about the investigation, and said it had no information to believe her death was politically motivated.
Ann was discovered at her home having “sustained serious injuries”. The incident is not being treated as terrorism, police have confirmed, adding that the man now in police custody was arrested at an address in Newton Abbott.
Devon and Cornwall Police have opened a major incident public portal which people can use to submit information that may be useful to the investigation into Widdecombe’s death. The portal can be accessed here.
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