Published • loading... • Updated
Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe dies at 78
Her management said she remained active in politics and media after Parliament, including campaigning for Reform UK and appearing on television and radio.
- Ann Widdecombe, a prominent British politician and former Conservative MP, died on Friday aged 78, her representatives announced. The Brexit champion served in Parliament for 23 years representing Maidstone.
- Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone from 1987 until 2010, holding ministerial positions including prisons minister. She famously clashed with Home Office colleague Michael Howard, describing him as having "something of the night about him."
- Throughout her career, Widdecombe was a prominent Eurosceptic who supported the Vote Leave campaign. She joined the Brexit Party in 2019 and later backed Reform, serving as its justice and immigration adviser until earlier this year.
- Away from politics, Widdecombe became a household name competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 with partner Anton Beke, reaching the semi-finals. She also hosted Have I Got News For You and appeared in a documentary with Louis Theroux.
- Colleagues are paying tribute to a "true powerhouse" of politics. Reform Staffordshire County Council leader Martin Murray said he had "the pleasure of meeting Ann on several occasions," calling her "an honourable lady who stood for what she believed.
Insights by Ground AI
90 Articles
90 Articles
Show me the receipts: Examining Ann Widdecombe's record on LGBTQ+ rights after her death
While many will remember Widdecombe for her TV appearances, she spent decades establishing herself as one of Westminster's most socially conservative voices The post Show me the receipts: Examining Ann Widdecombe’s record on LGBTQ+ rights after her death appeared first on Attitude.
'We need more like her in politics': Ex-Conservative stalwart Ann Widdecombe 'very friendly with Ian Paisley despite being devout Catholic'
A DUP MP says he will always have warm memories of the late Ann Widdecombe, adding that she and Rev Ian Paisley had been friendly despite her devout Catholicism.
·Portadown, United Kingdom
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources90
Leaning Left12Leaning Right10Center57Last UpdatedBias Distribution72% Center
Bias Distribution
- 72% of the sources are Center
72% Center
15%
C 72%
13%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
