Widdecombe’s political career spanned decades – she served as MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and worked as a Home Office and employment minister in John Major’s government between 1994 and 1997.
Following news of the police investigation, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was “shocking news” and his thoughts were with Widdecombe’s family “at this awful time”.
He said he had spoken to the Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Farage, as well as the prime minister’s likely successor Andy Burnham, “to urge everybody to come together”.
Badenoch said she was “stunned” and “really struggled to find the words”. She added: “My heart is breaking for her family.”
Burnham sent his condolences to Widdecombe’s family, saying: “Ann gave a lifetime of public service.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged the public “to avoid speculation and allow the police investigation to progress”.
In a post on X, she said the circumstances of Widdecombe’s death were “extremely distressing”, adding that her “thoughts are with Ann’s family and loved ones”.
Laying a wreath near Widdecombe’s home on Saturday, Farage told reporters she was a “remarkable individual” and “the fiercest defender of free speech”.