Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe dies at 78

Former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe has died aged 78. Her political career spanned decades, serving as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years, before going on to join Reform UK. She worked as a Home Office and employment minister in Sir John Major's government between 1994 to 1997. 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's departure from the EU, she became an MEP for the Brexit Party, representing South West England in the European Parliament between 2019-2020. In 2023, Widdecombe joined Nigel Farage's Reform UK, after the party changed its name from the Brexit Party, and made a number of appearances as the party's immigration and justice spokesperson. Following news of her death, Farage credited Widdecombe for playing a "decisive role" in getting Brexit "over the line". "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," he wrote in a post on X, adding she would be "missed by us all". Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch d