Mark Dolan, the television host who conducted Ann Widdecombe’s final interview just 24 hours before her tragic death, has described the news as “devastating” and said the 78-year-old had “so much more living to do”. Widdecombe appeared on TalkTV on Wednesday morning to defend Reform UK leader Nigel Farage amid ongoing scrutiny of financial support he and his party have received.
Final interview details
Speaking to Dolan via video link at just after 8am, Widdecombe insisted a by-election in his Essex constituency was “the right course to take”. She spent the bulk of the 12-minute interview expressing total support for Farage, rejecting the suggestion that the by-election was “student politics” or “pantomime”. She told the programme: “No, it's very serious politics. It's up to the other parties whether they stand or not. We know why they're not – they're threatened. They know darn well they can't beat Nigel. They don't want to spend their resources campaigning and all the rest of it when they know they can't beat him.”
Host’s tribute
Reflecting on their final conversation, Dolan told The Sun: “Ann's last on-air appearance on my Talk breakfast show was like every other. She had her usual energy, passion and good humour. She was a conviction politician who did not suffer fools gladly and remained remarkably consistent over a long career. Ann was a regular on Talk breakfast. She always went down a storm with our audience and it's clear that although she was no longer a frontline politician, she lived for political debate, appearing regularly on radio and television, writing a weekly column and campaigning for Reform UK.” He added: “Based on her last appearance you could see she was fit and well, had so much more living to do, and so much more to contribute to public life. It's devastating to think that as I signed off that interview and wished her well, it would be the last time we would speak.”
Police investigation
Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday morning after sustaining serious injuries. Police have subsequently arrested a 26-year-old white British man and said they are not currently treating the incident as terrorism, adding there was “no information” to suggest that this was a “politically motivated crime”. Leaders from across the political spectrum have expressed shock, with Farage saying her death was “a terrible reflection on modern Britain” and that she was “a remarkable, principled woman.” He wrote: “And I do fear that for anybody in public life, or especially the political space, things have become even more dangerous to them.”
Political reactions
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: “I've been stunned to hear this awful news. To be honest, I've really struggled to find the words to say. Ann Widdecombe was a very fun and feisty woman who spoke her mind and she was 78 years old, she was an elderly woman. I don't understand how someone could do something so horrific to an elderly person. It was a nasty, horrific attack and my heart is breaking for her family.”
