Former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe has died aged 78.<\/p>\n
“It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of The Right Honourable Ann Widdecombe, DSG,” a statement from her agents, Cloud 9 Management, said.<\/p>\n
“We send our deepest condolences to Ann’s family and friends,” they added.<\/p>\n
Widdecombe’s political career spanned decades, serving as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years, before going on to join Reform UK. <\/p>\n
She also appeared on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and was a runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.<\/p>\n
Widdecombe served as a Home Office and an employment minister in John Major’s government between 1994 to 1997.<\/p>\n
She was a staunch supporter of the UK’s departure from the EU and in 2019 was elected to stand as Brexit Party MEP in the European Parliament.<\/p>\n
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.<\/p>\n
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