Mourners gather at Devon abbey

About 100 family members, friends and colleagues attended the funeral of former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe at Buckfast Abbey in Devon.

The private requiem mass lasted about 90 minutes. Widdecombe regularly worshipped at the Catholic abbey and had described it as her safe haven.

Tributes to faith and public service

The Rt Rev David Charlesworth, Abbot of Buckfast, delivered the homily. A statement from the Abbey Church remembered Widdecombe as a woman of profound faith, a dedicated public servant and someone known within its community as warm and kind.

The order of service also included tributes from her nephew, the Rev Roger Widdecombe, and close friend Sir Christian Sweeting. A public memorial is expected to be held later in the year.

Political career spanning decades

Widdecombe represented Maidstone as a Conservative MP for 23 years and held ministerial posts under John Major. After leaving the House of Commons, she appeared on television programmes including Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.

She later represented South West England in the European Parliament for the Brexit Party and became a Reform UK spokeswoman in 2023. Donations made in her memory are due to be shared between the Leprosy Mission and Abound, which supports projects associated with the Christian Endeavour Hostel in India.

Criminal proceedings remain active

Widdecombe died on 8 July aged 78 after being found with serious head injuries at her Dartmoor home.

Joshua Kerry, 28, of South Yorkshire, was charged with her murder in July following an investigation led by counter-terrorism detectives. A provisional trial date has been listed for June 2027.

The charge is an allegation. Criminal proceedings are continuing, and no determination of guilt has been made.