The family of Ann Widdecombe has announced a public memorial for later this year, as a man appeared in court charged with murdering the former Conservative minister with a hammer.
Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, is accused of striking Widdecombe 21 times on the head with a hammer at her Dartmoor home on 8 July. The Old Bailey heard that Widdecombe, 78, had been eating lunch when Kerry allegedly pulled up outside in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door. A provisional cause of death was given as blunt force injury to the head. Detectives are still investigating any possible political or terrorist motivation.
“Family says public memorial for Ann Widdecombe will be held this year; man charged with her murder using a hammer.”
In a statement, Widdecombe’s family said: “We understand that there is significant public interest in the funeral of Ann Widdecombe. A private service for family and close friends will be held in the coming weeks, and invitations for this ceremony have been distributed. A more public memorial will follow later in the year, the details of which will be released in due course. While we are very grateful for the wide expression of condolences, the family would ask that this initial service is limited to those closest to Ann.”
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum and beyond. Anton Du Beke, her partner on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, said in a video on X he was “devastated” by the “saddest of news”. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the party was “reeling”, describing Widdecombe as “a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind”. Sir Keir Starmer called her a “distinguished politician”. Nigel Farage, in a video, said she was “an extraordinary woman” and “someone who gave her life to public service”.
Widdecombe served as Conservative MP for Maidstone for 23 years, was shadow home secretary from 1999 to 2001, and served as prisons minister under Sir John Major. She later became an MEP for the Brexit Party and, at the time of her death, was a Reform UK spokeswoman on immigration and justice. Outside politics, she was a runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother and famously danced with Anton Du Beke on Strictly.
The investigation into a possible political or terrorist motive remains ongoing.