Widdecombe Family Plans Public Memorial for 78-Year-Old Ex-Minister as 28-Year-Old Faces Murder Charge
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 23
Widdecombe Family Plans Public Memorial for 78-Year-Old Ex-Minister as 28-Year-Old Faces Murder Charge
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 23
Summary
Later this year, Ann Widdecombe’s family will hold a public memorial, while keeping her funeral in the coming weeks private for relatives and close friends.
The announcement comes after Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her Dartmoor home earlier this month with serious head injuries, prompting intense public interest and widespread condolences.
Joshua Kerry, 28, from South Yorkshire, was charged with her murder on Monday after an investigation led by counter-terrorism detectives; a provisional trial date is set for June 8, 2027.
Tributes have come from across politics and television, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage and former Strictly partner Anton Du Beke.
Widdecombe’s decades-long public career spanned 23 years as a Conservative MP, ministerial roles in John Major’s government, a Brexit Party MEP seat and a later role as a Reform UK spokeswoman.