Mass was offered for the repose of the soul of Ann Widdecombe in Westminster Cathedral on Saturday, July 11, following the announcement of her death and subsequent opening of a murder inquiry last week.
Devon and Cornwall Police stated that Widdecombe was found with serious injuries at her home on Dartmoor, Devon, on Thursday. Police believe the attack took place on Wednesday July 8 at around 12.30pm.
Chair of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, Archbishop Richard Moth, noted in a statement that Widdecombe sometimes served as lector at the Sunday evening Mass at Westminster Cathedral, where the Mass was offered.
“We pray for her family and friends at this time. May she rest in peace,” he said.
Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Bishop of Plymouth, said following her death: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe at this distressing time.”
Mass was also offered for the repose of her soul by Bishop Hudson on July 11 at 12pm in Buckfast Abbey.
Widdecombe, who was the Reform UK immigration and justice spokesperson and a former Conservative minister, converted to Catholicism in 1993. She died aged 78.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described Widdecombe as an “extraordinary woman” and a “devout Christian” who “stood up for what she believed, regardless of fashion.”
“I’m deeply shocked and upset by the nature of her death. The police have launched a murder investigation. We don’t know whether there were any political motives, and I’m not going to speculate at this stage,” he said.
“What I do know for certain is that our nation is a much poorer place without her. Reform UK is certainly a poorer place without her.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ann Widdecombe. The circumstances of her death are extremely distressing and my thoughts are with Ann's family and loved ones. Ann's dedication to public service was decades long, and she was a true servant of her constituents.
"I have spoken to the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall police today. The Home Office stands ready to provide whatever support they need with their ongoing investigation. I urge everyone to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress."
Devon and Cornwall Police announced that a 28-year-old white British man was arrested at an address in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, shortly after 9pm on July 11 on suspicion of the murder of Widdecombe.
The July 12 statement read: “At this time, there is still no information to suggest that this is a terrorism-related incident. And at this point we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the murder. We retain primacy of this investigation and Detectives remain open minded about any potential motive, but at this stage there is nothing to suggest that it was politically motivated.”
Police thanked the public for more than 120 reports of information into their Major Incident Public Portal, asking those who have not yet submitted relevant information to do so as a priority.
Widdecombe’s management team, Cloud9 Management, said: "We fully support the police in their investigations and we reiterate the family’s desire not to be contacted at this difficult time. We implore anyone who may have relevant information to contact Devon and Cornwall Police."
We ask readers to pray for the repose of her soul.
