Ann Widdecombe’s death threats exposed – she never took them seriously | UK | News
Ann Widdecombe, whose death is now the subject of a murder investigation, has publicly spoken out about receiving death threats throughout her political career but said she always insisted on ignoring them. The late former Conservative MP and Daily Express columnist said he told aides that any letters or malicious messages sent to his home or office while he was in Parliament should be thrown out.
Speaking at the Best Heroes Awards 2025, held at The Waldorf Hilton in London last October, the Brexit campaigner said: “I remember getting death threats from time to time. We all did. And my staff were saying should we tell the police? And I say chuck it. Because if the IRA are going to do it, they won’t tell you in advance, they’ll just do it. Like they did with Airey Neave.” An advisor to Margaret Thatcher who was assassinated in 1979.
“You know, they just do it. So I said, throw it away. I still maintain that attitude. I know we’re in a slightly different world. I know that. But I think it’s very important that MPs and their voters can mix freely.”
He insisted MPs should never be afraid to walk around their town or be at home and referred to his former colleague and “best friend in Parliament” Sir David Amess, who was tragically killed in 2021.
Ms Widdecombe said she knew Sir David and his family well and said: “I know, and I have told his widow, who agrees, that she would never want his death to be used as a reason to alienate MPs from their constituents.”
“His belief, and my belief, is that an MP should be able to walk around town on a Saturday afternoon and talk to his constituents. Absolutely. So I feel very strongly about that,” he added.
“In my time it wasn’t fundamentalist Islam. In my time it was the IRA. And I guess I had a bit of a non-believer attitude.”
There is no suggestion that these threats were in any way related to his death, which is under investigation.
In a more lighthearted moment, the veteran politician confirmed he had some security cameras at his home and said: “I’ve never been into the big doors, the electronics and all that nonsense.
“Well, no, I mean, anyone can break in and steal a dwarf. I’d have them on my cameras, so if someone wants to steal a dwarf they better mask up.”
Although the extent of security measures at his home is unknown, any footage of security would be of great interest to Devon and Cornwall Police officers investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
The sad news was confirmed by his management on Friday after the 78-year-old was found lifeless at his home in Devon on Thursday.
Earlier today the force said a murder investigation had been launched into the “suspicious death” of Ms Widdecombe, who police said was found with “serious injuries”.
They later announced that a 26-year-old white British man had been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Deputy Chief Constable Matt Longman said police were “keeping an open mind” about the investigation, adding that the incident was “not being treated as terrorism” and that there was “no information” to suggest it was politically motivated.
Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward as investigations continue.
