These past few days have been deeply distressing as I have sought to come to terms with the violent death of a dear friend, a Catholic who placed her faith at the heart of everything she stood for.
Like her or loathe her, Ann Widdecombe was a fearless defender of the right to freedom of speech, an impressive debater and a doughty champion of causes she believed in. These included causes that few others were willing to get behind – such as standing up for persecuted Christians.
Everyone found something to disagree with her about, but there was no doubting the sincerity of her search for truth and justice, her loyalty to her friends or her willingness to speak out when others would find it more expedient – or personally beneficial – to keep silent.
