GB News came to a standstill on Thursday as host Andrew Pierce issued a major breaking news update following the death of Ann Widdecombe last week. The mid-morning show halted for an emotional announcement revealing that former Prime Minister Liz Truss was forced to choke back tears while delivering a tribute to the late Reform UK minister at the inaugural Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in London.
Liz Truss Breaks Down in Tears at CPAC
Speaking at the conference on July 16, Truss honoured Widdecombe's long life of service, addressing a hall of attendees and introducing a slideshow of images from her careers as a Conservative, Brexit Party, and Reform UK politician. Truss began: "Before we start on this conference, I'd like to take time to pay our respects to the late Ann Widdecombe, who was brutally murdered in her home last week."
She continued: "I've known Ann for over 20 years. She was a deeply principled politician who stood for the very values we are fighting for at CPAC: free speech, patriotism and the family. She was courageous and fearless in standing up to the leftist drift we have seen in Britain."
Tribute and Minute's Silence
Truss added: "She was a kind and generous human being, and we are all so devastated that she has been taken from us. Now, let's reflect on Ann's remarkable life," before breaking down in tears. The room then held a solemn minute's silence followed by applause.
The emotional moment was covered live on GB News, with hosts Andrew Pierce and Olivia Utley discussing the impact of Widdecombe's murder on British politics. According to GB News, Widdecombe's co-star recalled an 'odd encounter' on the day of her murder, and a TV star shared a bombshell theory following the update. Widdecombe was known for her lack of security, with one source noting: "She had so much faith in her fellow man, she was so trusting. She talked about how little security she had."
Breaking Story Updates
This is a breaking live TV story, and the Showbiz team will continue to update with the latest information as it becomes available. For further updates, viewers are advised to refresh the page. GB News also shared the tribute on social media, posting a clip of the moment on X (formerly Twitter).
