Ann Widdecombe’s funeral will be held at Buckfast Abbey, the Benedictine monastery she attended just three days before her death, church bosses have confirmed. The former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman, 78, was found dead in her Dartmoor home on July 9 with serious head injuries – police believe she died the day before.
Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, has been charged with her murder. At Westminster Magistrates Court, prosecutor Kashif Malik alleged Widdecombe was hit 21 times with a hammer as she ate lunch, tipped from her chair and had her wallet stolen. The alarm was raised when she failed to appear for a video interview on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show; producers tried to contact her for 24 hours before a gardener was sent to check. A provisional trial date has been set for June 2027.
“Ann Widdecombe's funeral to be held at Buckfast Abbey; Joshua Kerry charged with her murder after alleged hammer attack.”
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum and showbusiness. Anton Du Beke, her Strictly Come Dancing partner in 2010, said he was “devastated” by the “saddest of news”. Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party for which Widdecombe served as shadow home secretary from 1999 to 2001, said the party was “reeling” and described her as “a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind”. Then-prime minister Sir Keir Starmer called her a “distinguished politician”, while Nigel Farage said she was “an extraordinary woman” who “gave her life to public service”. Farage added: “She was a devout Christian and somebody with strong socially conservative views.”
Widdecombe was Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years, held ministerial roles under Sir John Major, later became an MEP for the Brexit Party and joined Reform UK in 2023. She also appeared on Strictly and was runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother.
Her family announced that a private funeral for close relatives and friends will be held in the coming weeks, with invitations already sent. A public memorial will follow later this year. A Buckfast Abbey spokesperson said: “We are working closely with the family regarding funeral arrangements and will provide further information in due course. Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community continue to hold Ann Widdecombe, her family and loved ones in our prayers.”