Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was important to “put aside any political differences” and focus on catching Ann Widdecombe’s killer. He described the former lawmaker as “an eminent politician” with “many achievements” and said his death was a “big, big loss.”
Tributes were paid throughout the day to Widdecombe, who served for years as a Conservative MP and supported UK Reform from 2023.
Reform leader Nigel Farage said Widdecombe had “a decisive role to play in getting Brexit over the line” when he stood as the Brexit Party’s candidate in 2019.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described Widdecombe on Friday as a “terrible politician,” and told Sky News she was “stunned” to hear of the “horrific and horrific attack.” He offered his condolences to Farage and members of Reform, saying, “We have all lost a friend.”
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said on the Today program that he “gave his opinion even if you weren’t necessarily looking for it.”
A spokesman for Starmer said: “The Prime Minister was saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe. She was a prominent figure in British politics for many years, and respects the faith and dedication with which she served her country.”
This ongoing story has been updated with additional information.
