The daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess has described Ann Widdecombe as being a "great source of strength and a beacon of hope" at the time of her father's death.
Sir David Amess was murdered on 15 October 2021. The 69-year-old Conservative MP for Southend West was stabbed multiple times by Ali Harbi Ali during a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church Hall in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
Campaign for a public inquiry
Ever since, his daughter Katie Amess has been campaigning tirelessly for a public inquiry. Ms Amess, 41, described what happened to her father as "just absolutely heartbreaking and completely traumatising".
The Government has commissioned an independent review that will examine missed opportunities which could have prevented Sir David's murder. It will be led by former Conservative justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland KC, with the aim of establishing how the murder was able to happen, identifying lessons to be learned, and recommending measures to reduce the risk of future tragedies.
Frustration over the process
Ms Amess said she welcomed the review while continuing to push for a full public inquiry, where witnesses could be legally compelled to give evidence.
"It's definitely been a frustrating process because obviously I've been fighting for five years now," she said. "As the victim's daughter, I shouldn't have to do that. There should have just been an inquiry automatically, straight away. Still, five years later, I'm having to plead my case as to why my dad, myself, and the public needs these answers. I'm just hoping that (Mr) Buckland does get the answers and if he doesn't, we'll just get it through the inquiry."
She added: "I just want to stress the emotional turmoil that all of this has taken and you would think that after this happened the Government would want to help the family of their former colleague of 40 years – but it definitely didn't play out that way."
Tribute to Ann Widdecombe
Ms Amess said she remained fearful for politicians' safety following the murder of Ann Widdecombe at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, in July. She said Ms Widdecombe, whom she calls "aunt Ann", was her sister's godmother and she "knew her my whole life".
She said: "She was best friends with my dad. They had so many shared issues together with animals and Catholicism, and just being people who really wanted to help rather than gain political points. It's just such a tragedy that it happened to her as well now. After what happened to dad, she was our family spokesperson. She came to Southend and stayed with us and she would talk to the police and talk to the press. She did the eulogy at the funeral, she helped plan his funeral, she was just a great source of strength and a beacon of hope for us, so it's very tragic that now she's gone as well."
Plans for the anniversary
Speaking ahead of the anniversary of her father's death, she added: "I can't believe that it's been five years. It seems like yesterday – but at the same time it seems like many, many years ago since I saw him last. It's definitely hard."
Ms Amess, who is based in Los Angeles in the US, revealed she planned to have a mass said in her father's honour, followed by a dinner with close friends from church. She said: "Obviously I live in Los Angeles but my family's in England, so I just want to be around supportive people. I've had lots of messages of support already so I know people will be thinking of him and praying for him on the day."
