When the body of Ann Widdecombe was found in her Dartmoor bungalow on 9 July, it sent shockwaves through British politics and television. The 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman had been discovered by her gardener with serious head injuries. Now her family has announced plans for a private funeral followed by a public memorial later this year, as a murder suspect awaits trial.
Ann Widdecombe was a household name in Britain. She served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years, held ministerial roles in Sir John Major's government in the 1990s, and was shadow home secretary from 1999 to 2001. After leaving the Commons, she became a reality TV star on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018. She later represented South West England as a Member of the European Parliament for the Brexit Party and, in 2023, joined Reform UK as a spokeswoman on immigration and justice.
“Explainer on Ann Widdecombe's death, murder charge, and plans for private funeral and public memorial later this year.”
On 9 July, Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon. A post-mortem examination gave a provisional cause of death as blunt force injury to the head. Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, was charged with her murder and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 23 July. Prosecutors allege that Kerry pulled up outside her bungalow in a red Vauxhall Corsa while she was eating lunch, entered through the front door, and used a hammer to hit her on the head 21 times. The attack lasted only two minutes, according to the prosecution, who described it as a "planned and targeted" assault carried out with a "ferocity of violence." Detectives are investigating whether there was a political or terrorist motive.
Her family released a statement thanking the public for the "wide expression of condolences" but asking that the initial private service — to be held in the coming weeks with invitations already distributed — be limited to those closest to Ann. They acknowledged "significant public interest" in her funeral and confirmed that a more public memorial will follow later this year, with details to be released in due course.
For UK readers, Widdecombe's death is not just a personal tragedy but a moment that intersects with national politics and public life. She was a polarising figure — a devout Christian with strong socially conservative views — but also widely respected for her decades of public service. The alleged murder, with possible political or terrorist connections, raises uncomfortable questions about the safety of public figures. The public memorial will give people a chance to pay their respects, while the legal process will unfold in the coming months.
Q: When is Ann Widdecombe's public memorial? The public memorial will be held later this year, but the exact date has not yet been announced. The family will release details in due course.
Q: Who is charged with Ann Widdecombe's murder? Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, has been charged with her murder. He appeared in court on 23 July and has been remanded in custody. He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on 9 October.
Q: What was Ann Widdecombe known for? She was a Conservative MP and minister, later a Brexit Party MEP and Reform UK spokeswoman. She also became a TV personality on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.
What happens next: A private funeral for family and close friends will take place in the coming weeks. Joshua Kerry's next court appearance is scheduled for 9 October at the Old Bailey. The investigation into the motive, including any political or terrorist link, is ongoing. The public memorial will be announced later this year.