Ann Widdecombe's family has announced a public memorial will be held for her later this year after she was found murdered in her bungalow. The former Tory MP, 78, was found dead on July 9 after being 'hit in the head with a hammer 21 times'.
Her family thanked the public for their 'wide expression of condolences' but a private service being held in the coming weeks is invite-only. Their statement said: 'We understand that there is significant public interest in the funeral of Ann Widdecombe. A private service for family and close friends will be held in the coming weeks, and invitations for this ceremony have been distributed.'
Public memorial details to follow
'A more public memorial will follow later in the year, the details of which will be released in due course. While we are very grateful for the wide expression of condolences, the family would ask that this initial service is limited to those closest to Ann.'
The Reform UK spokesperson was found by her gardener lying face down on her kitchen floor with serious head injuries, prosecutors told Westminster Magistrates' Court. Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, appeared in court charged with Ann's murder.
Court details of alleged attack
Prosecutor Kashif Malik told the court that Kerry allegedly pulled up outside Ann's house as she was eating lunch and entered through the front door. A camera positioned in the hallway showed the 78-year-old politician sitting down eating lunch in the kitchen before the defendant entered via the front door and asked her: 'Don't suppose you have bank cards and ID?'
Kerry is accused of walking into Ann's kitchen and using a hammer to hit her on the head 21 times, the court heard. The suspect then allegedly tipped Ann from her chair and took a wallet out of her handbag before leaving and driving off, the court was told. The prosecution claims Kerry was only inside the property for two minutes.
The Old Bailey was told later it was allegedly a 'planned and targeted' attack carried out with a 'ferocity of violence'. Kerry has been remanded in custody and will appear at the Old Bailey on October 9.
CPS statement on investigation
Frank Ferguson, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: 'We have decided to prosecute Joshua Kerry for murder following a police investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe in Haytor, Dartmoor. Police enquiries into the defendant's motives are ongoing, including a potential political or terrorist connection.'
'Our prosecutors have worked closely with the police to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court, and we will continue working with them as their investigation progresses. We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial. It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'
