Private Funeral Held for Former MP Ann Widdecombe

A private funeral for former British politician Ann Widdecombe took place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, England. The 78-year-old, who died on July 8, was found with serious head injuries at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor. Her death is being investigated as a murder, and a man has been charged in connection with the case.

Approximately 100 family members, friends, and colleagues attended the requiem mass, a Catholic service for the deceased. Mourners gathered at the abbey, which Widdecombe regularly attended and considered her "safe haven." Police officers, including sniffer dogs, were deployed in the grounds ahead of the 90-minute service. The Right Reverend David Charlesworth, the Abbot of Buckfast, delivered a homily. He stated that in the midst of the shock and comment surrounding her death, the community's response was to pray for her soul and give thanks for her fortitude. He described Widdecombe as a woman of profound faith, a sharp intellect, and a dedicated public servant who was unafraid to express her unwavering convictions.

Tributes were also paid during the service by her nephew, Reverend Roger Widdecombe, and a close friend, Sir...