Family announces public memorial for Ann Widdecombe later this year

A public memorial for Ann Widdecombe will be held later this year, her family have said.

The 78-year-old Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, on July 9th with serious head injuries.

Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared in court on Tuesday charged with her murder.

In a statement, Widdecombe’s family said: “We understand that there is significant public interest in the funeral of Ann Widdecombe.

“A private service for family and close friends will be held in the coming weeks, and invitations for this ceremony have been distributed.

“A more public memorial will follow later in the year, the details of which will be released in due course.

“While we are very grateful for the wide expression of condolences, the family would ask that this initial service is limited to those closest to Ann.”

Prosecutors say that on July 8th, Widdecombe had been eating lunch when Kerry allegedly pulled up outside the front of her bungalow in a red Vauxhall Corsa and entered through the front door.

Kerry then allegedly used a hammer to hit Widdecombe on the top of her head 21 times, the Old Bailey heard on Tuesday.

A provisional cause of death was given as a blunt force injury to the head, the court heard.

Detectives are still investigating any possible political or terrorist motivation.

Widdecombe was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987, was a prisons minister in the 1990s and later became an MEP for the Brexit Party.

At the time of her death she was a spokeswoman on immigration and justice for Reform UK.

She also found fame outside politics on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.