Ann Widdecombe public memorial to be held later this year, family says

A nationalist memorial for Ann Widdecombe volition beryllium held aboriginal this year, her household has said successful a statement.

Former Conservative curate and Reform UK spokeswoman Widdecombe, 78, was recovered dormant successful her Dartmoor location with superior caput injuries earlier this month.

Her household thanked the nationalist for "the wide look of condolences" but asked that her backstage service, to beryllium held successful the coming weeks and for which invitations person already been sent, is "limited to those closest to Ann".

"We recognize that determination is important nationalist involvement successful the ceremonial of Ann Widdecombe," the connection said.

"A backstage work for household and adjacent friends volition beryllium held successful the coming weeks, and invitations for this ceremonial person been distributed.

"A much nationalist memorial volition travel aboriginal successful the year, the details of which volition beryllium released successful owed course.

"While we are precise grateful for the wide look of condolences, the household would inquire that this archetypal work is constricted to those closest to Ann."

Tributes poured successful to Widdecombe from TV stars and crossed the governmental spectrum pursuing her death.

Anton Du Beke, who was her spouse connected Strictly Come Dancing successful 2010, said helium was devastated , which helium called the "saddest of news".

"I had the astir superb clip with Ann connected Strictly Come Dancing, she became a existent friend, she was fun, she was upbeat, she was positive, she was supportive, she was game, wanted to participate into the tone of the full thing," helium said successful a video connected X.

Kemi Badenoch, person of the Conservative Party for which Widdecombe served arsenic shadiness location caput from 1999 to 2001, said the enactment was "reeling".

She described Widdecombe arsenic "a precise amusive and feisty pistillate who spoke her mind", portion the then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Widdecombe was a "distinguished politician".

In a video posted connected societal media, Farage said Widdecombe was "an bonzer woman" and "someone who gave her beingness to nationalist service, to warring for the things she believed in".

He described her arsenic "a devout Christian and idiosyncratic with beardown socially blimpish views. Perhaps not fashionable successful modern Britain but that is what Ann believed in".