Ann Widdecombe
| Ann Widdecombe link Sourcewatch (Politician, TV personality) | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 4 October 1947 Bath, Somerset, England |
| Died | 8 July 2026 Haytor Vale, Devon, England |
| Victim of | assassination |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of Birmingham, Lady Margaret Hall (Oxford) |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Party | Conservative, Reform (UK) |
Reform UK politician assassinated in 2026. | |
Ann Noreen Widdecombe was a British politician and television personality. As a member of the Conservative Party, she was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Maidstone and The Weald and the former Maidstone constituency from 1987 to 2010. She was a member of the Brexit Party from 2019 and served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for South West England from 2019 to 2020. She joined Reform UK in 2023 and was the party's Immigration and Justice spokesperson from 2023 until her assassination in 2026.
Murder enquiry launched
On 12 July 2026, Devon and Cornwall Police launched a murder enquiry:
"Our investigation into the death of 78-year-old Ann Widdecombe has continued to develop over the past 24 hours.
"Shortly after 9pm on Saturday 11 July, a 28-year-old white British man was arrested at an address in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on suspicion of the murder of Miss Widdecombe.
"We were supported by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North East and South Yorkshire Police who carried out the arrest on behalf of Devon & Cornwall Police.
"Miss Widdecombe’s family have been informed of the update and continue to be supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts remain with her friends and family at what is a very difficult time.
"At this time, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism related incident. And at this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the murder. We retain primacy of this investigation and Detectives remain open minded about any potential motive, but at this stage there is nothing to suggest that it was politically motivated."[1]
CTP takes over
Counter Terrorism Policing South East announced on Monday 13 July that “new information and evidence” had come to light and that it was now leading the investigation. The man in custody, Joshua Kerry, a 28-year-old white British man from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday evening, had been re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.[2]
Inquest adjourned
On 21 July 2026, the inquest into Ann Widdecombe's death opened at Exeter Coroner's Court. Senior coroner Philip Spinney said a post-mortem examination had taken place and "at this stage the precise medical cause of death has yet to be established". Spinney then announced that the inquest was adjourned "until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings".[3]
Activities
Ann Widdecombe had claimed that she could not recall the name "Baybaşin".[4]