Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe dies aged 78

Ann Widdecombe, the former MP who also featured on Strictly Come Dancing, has died aged 78.

She served as a Conservative MP for Maidstone, Kent, for 23 years from 1987 to 2010 and held several positions in Sir John Major's government.

A statement from her management said: "It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of the Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe, DSG.

"We send our deepest condolences to Ann's family and friends. We ask that the family's wish not to be contacted at this sad time is respected."

Ms Widdecombe left the Conservatives in 2019 and joined the Brexit Party, serving as an MEP representing South West England in Brussels between 2019 and 2020.

She joined Reform UK, the successor to the Brexit Party, as a supporter in 2023 and appeared at the party's conference the following year as its immigration spokesperson.

In a tribute on X, Reform leader Nigel Farage said: "When Ann Widdecombe decided to stand for The Brexit Party in the snap 2019 European Elections, it was a big moment and huge boost. The voters loved her.

"She played a decisive role in getting Brexit over the line and will be missed by us all."

A spokeswoman for Sir Keir Starmer described her as "a distinctive figure in British politics".

She said the prime minister was "saddened" by her death and "pays tribute to the conviction and dedication with which she served her country".

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Ms Widdecombe was a "formidable politician".

She wrote on social media: "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."

Former prime minister Boris Johnson described her as "a heroic Brexiteer and a great speaker".

He said Ms Widdecombe "could move Tory audiences to such ecstasy that she was a very hard act to follow."

'Firm views'

Health Secretary James Murray said Ms Widdecombe was "never shy of having quite firm views", adding that everyone "can recognise the contribution that she made to politics".

Mr Murray told Times Radio: "I think she's been such a large part of our politics for many years. I mean, she was never shy of having quite firm views and sharing them quite willingly, and I can't say I always agreed with her views, but she was such a part of our politics.

"I think everyone can kind of recognise the contribution that she made to politics and the role that she played in our public life."

Ms Widdecombe also appeared on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, partnering with Anton Du Beke, in 2010.

She famously clashed with her Conservative colleague Michael Howard, when she was a Home Office minister and he was home secretary, describing him as having "something of the night about him".

She also faced flak for defending a policy of chaining pregnant prisoners to their beds.

Prominent Eurosceptic

Throughout her political career, Ms Widdecombe was a prominent Eurosceptic and supported the Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

In a statement, her management company said she "loved the cut and thrust of political debate" and was a "consummate professional".

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Her management continued: "Her life and career were driven by her strong Christian values and commitment to public service.

"She loved the cut and thrust of political debate and, 16 years after leaving Parliament, was still actively campaigning for Reform UK and offering forthright views on the hot topics of the day across numerous radio and television programmes.

"Ann was a valued patron of many causes, particularly her animal charities.

"As Ann once said on The Graham Norton Show, 'we get one go this side of eternity, one go. Life is not a dress rehearsal, you take opportunities that you like and you go for it, that's my philosophy'.

"A consummate professional and a delight to work with, indefatigable to the last, we know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way and our sympathies go to them and her family."

(c) Sky News 2026: Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe dies aged 78