Ann Widdecombe enjoyed a lengthy political career, representing Maidstone in Kent as a Member of Parliament for 23 years and serving as a Home Office and Employment Minister under Prime Minister John Major from 1994 to 1997.
In response to the police investigation, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the news as “shocking” and extended his sympathies to Widdecombe’s family during “this awful time.”
Starmer noted that he had contacted Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, and Andy Burnham, encouraging all parties “to come together.”
Badenoch expressed being “stunned” and “really struggled to find the words,” adding, “My heart is breaking for her family.”
Expected incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham offered condolences to Widdecombe’s relatives, stating, “Ann gave a lifetime of public service.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood advised the public “to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress.”
In a post on X, Mahmood characterized the conditions surrounding Widdecombe’s death as “extremely distressing” and said her “thoughts are with Ann’s family and loved ones.”
