Ann Widdecombe RIP

Ann Widdecombe

Tributes have been pouring in to former Conservative minister the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe , whose death was announced this morning. She was 78. Ann Widdecombe served as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years. She was Home Office and Employment minister in Sir John Major's government between 1994 to 1997.

In 1993 she converted from the Church of England to Catholicism, partly over the issue of women priests.

After leaving Parliament she embarked on a showbiz career, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.

A staunch supporter of the UK leaving the EU, she became an MEP for the Brexit Party, representing South West England in the European Parliament between 2019-2020. In 2023, She joined Reform UK.

Journalist and author Simon Caldwell writes: 'It is with huge sadness that I learn today of the death of Ann Widdecombe, my predecessor as Mistress of the Keys (Catholic Writers' Guild) in the early 1990s. Ann is remembered with tremendous affection for her humour, courage and commitment to the faith. May she rest in peace.'

Lord Alton gave this tribute: 'So very sorry to learn of the death of Ann Widdecombe.

Ann's forthright views - whether you agreed with her or not - were always trenchantly, intelligently, and honestly expressed - and never with malice.

Even when Ann and I were on opposite sides of political arguments, we simply agreed to disagree but never fell out.

Her formidable debating skills, developed as a student in the Oxford Union, were deployed to great effect in @UKParliament for her causes - notably in defence of the unborn child and against animal cruelty.

We first came to know one another when she diligently served on my Private Members' Bill Committee in @HouseofCommons as I challenged the law permitting late abortions.

Known as a conviction politician, her beliefs were founded on two pillars: her Faith and her intensely patriotic love of country.

Beyond the well-known public figure, there was also a less well-known private person, capable of great kindness in responding to people facing personal challenges and tragedy. As they will attest , she was never a fair weather friend.

At a time when the national debate needs respectful disagreement and intelligent debate, Ann's voice will be missed.

I will not be alone in mourning her passing.

May she now rest in peace'

Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (UK) has paid tribute to the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, former MP and minister, following the announcement of her death, recognising her advocacy for persecuted Christians.

No stranger to controversy, Ann Widdecombe was nonetheless an outspoken campaigner for the plight of suffering Christians around the world. She was also a long-standing supporter of ACN.

Miss Widdecombe was the keynote speaker at ACN's annual Westminster Event in 2011, shortly after her retirement from the House of Commons, in which she powerfully remarked that in the mainstream media "You stand a better chance of earnest representation if you are a hedgehog than if you are a persecuted Christian.".

She also used her speech to call on ACN benefactors and supporters to engage with their local political representatives and become advocates for the persecuted Church around the world.

Miss Widdecombe joined ACN at packed church events across the country, helping to raise awareness of Christian persecution.

With ACN's assistance, she was in talks with the BBC to develop a documentary on kidnapped girls from religious minorities in Pakistan who were forced to convert and marry their kidnappers.

Miss Widdecombe's commitment to public service was recognised by the Vatican when she was awarded a Papal Damehood of the Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict XVI for services to public and political life in 2013.

Responding to the announcement of her death, John Pontifex, ACN (UK)'s Head of Press and Public Affairs, said: "Whether or not you agreed with her politics, without a doubt, Ann Widdecombe was a fearless champion for persecuted Christians, constantly seeking to raise the public profile of their suffering with the media and government.

"At ACN we are thankful for her witness and support over many years."

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'My deepest condolences and those of the Conservative Party to the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe. She was a formidable politician who was never afraid to speak her mind and fought hard for what she believed. Always true to herself, her politics were strongly guided by her faith and her values. Rest in Peace, Ann.'