The daughter of slain MP Sir David Amess has spoken of Ann Widdecombe's deep connection with their family, describing her as "a great source of strength and a beacon of hope" during their darkest days.
Katie Amess admits she still harbours "so many unanswered questions" half a decade after her father was fatally stabbed at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on October 15 2021. She has tirelessly campaigned for a public inquiry into the death of her father, 69, who was murdered by Ali Harbi Ali at Belfairs Methodist Church.
Campaign for a public inquiry
Ali, convicted in 2022 and sentenced to a whole life order for murder and the preparation of terrorist acts, had previously been referred to the anti-radicalisation programme Prevent, though his case was closed in 2016. Ms Amess, 41, described what happened to her father as "just absolutely heartbreaking and completely traumatising".
The Government has commissioned an independent review to examine missed opportunities that could have prevented Sir David's killing. The review will be headed by former Conservative justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland KC, with the objective of establishing how the murder was able to take place, identifying lessons to be learnt, and recommending steps to minimise the risk of future tragedies.
Ms Amess confirmed she welcomed the review while continuing to press for a full public inquiry, where witnesses could be legally compelled to appear.
"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."
Tribute to Ann Widdecombe
She continued: "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."
Ms Amess revealed she remains fearful for politicians' safety following the murder of Ann Widdecombe at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, in July.
She shared that Ms Widdecombe, affectionately called "aunt Ann", served as her sister's godmother and she "knew her my whole life". She remarked: "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."
Remembering her father
She remembered: "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."
Reflecting ahead of the fifth anniversary of her father's passing, 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, said she was going to have a mass said for her father and then some friends from church were joining her for dinner. 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."
