Ann Widdecombe, the former MP, MEP and champion of Brexit, has died aged 78, her representatives have said.
Widdecombe served as the Conservative MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years, representing the constituency from 1987 until 2010.
She was appointed prisons minister under Prime Minister John Major, serving in the role from 1995 to 1997.
Widdecombe attempted to become Conservative leader in 2001 following William Hague’s resignation, but failed to garner enough support among her colleagues. In 2009, she also attempted to become Speaker of the House of Commons, but lost out to fellow Tory John Bercow.
Widdecombe stood down as an MP at the 2010 general election, ending her Parliamentary career. However, she did not step away from the limelight.
She championed Brexit at the 2016 referendum to help convince Britain to leave the EU. After leaving the Conservative Party in 2019, to join the Brexit Party.
She was succesfully elected to the European Parliament in 2019 for the Brexit Party, using her maiden Strasbourg speech to tell Europe: “Nous allons, wir gehen, we’re off!”
Widdecombe again stood for Parliament in the 2019 general election. She came third to Labour and the Conservatives in the Plymouth Sutton and Devonport constituency, but retained her deposit when few expected her to do so.
Later, she backed Reform UK in 2023. Most recently, she served as the party’s justice and immigration adviser.
Away from politics, Widdecombe became a household name after competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, winning over many viewers despite consistently receiving low scores from the judges. She survived until week nine of the contest.
Other memorable TV spots include hosting panel show Have I Got News For You? twice and a special documentary with Louis Theroux in 2002.
Tributes began pouring in to Widdecombe on Friday (July 10), with Reform UK’s Staffordshire County Council leader, Martin Murray, saying: “I had the pleasure of meeting Ann on several occasions over the years, in various roles. A true powerhouse and honourable lady who stood for what she believed.”