Private service held for former Tory minister who ‘laughed at every jibe’ during her decades in the public eye
Ann Widdecombe has been remembered for “turning the other cheek” like Christ in a funeral service at the church where she worshipped.
On Wednesday, a private Requiem Mass was held at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, near Miss Widdecombe’s home on Dartmoor, for friends and family of the former Conservative minister.
Miss Widdecombe, who defected to the Brexit Party in 2019 and later joined Reform UK, was found dead with a serious head injury nearly 24 hours after she was attacked in her home on July 8.
The Rt Rev David Charlesworth OSB, the Abbot of Buckfast, praised the former MP’s response to criticism throughout her political career as he preached the homily.
Repeating the words of a previous tribute to her, he said: “In her long career in the public eye, Ann was more lampooned, insulted and sniggered at than almost any other politician, certainly any male politician.
“She was called many cruel names – but she not only turned the other cheek, she laughed at every new jibe. In this regard, Ann took Christ as her model.”
Tributes were also paid by Miss Widdecombe’s nephew, the Rev Roger Widdecombe, and close friend Sir Christian Sweeting. The First Scripture Reading was delivered by Jem Widdecombe, her great-niece.
Miss Widdecombe held a profound Roman Catholic faith after converting from the Church of England in 1993, and often spoke of how her religious beliefs informed her political views.
She frequently attended Sunday and Easter services at the abbey and was known by many within the community.
The abbot added: “There is no doubt that Ann fearlessly upheld the moral and social teachings of the Catholic Church.
“Her voice regarding these issues certainly upset some. We have not been told the reasons for her murder, but in past centuries – and elsewhere in the world today – men and women pay with their lives for holding fast to the Christian faith.
“As Tertullian, a Christian writer of the second century, declared, ‘the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church’.
“In the midst of the shock, clamour and sometimes unwarranted comment surrounding her death, our response is to pray for the repose of her soul, to give thanks for her fortitude, and offer Holy Mass in this abbey church, which Ann called her safe haven.”
Mourners dressed in black arrived for the service in small groups, crossing the lawn and being greeted by close friends and family at the church’s north door.
There was a notable police presence at the abbey and officers patrolled the perimeter, occasionally speaking to members of the public.
Small groups of people sat outside on benches and on the grass beneath the shade of two large trees where they watched the proceedings quietly. The crowd fell silent as the organ started playing and the choir began singing at just before 2pm.
At 2.30pm, a single bell tolled twice.
As well as Miss Widdecombe’s family, the Most Rev George Stack, the Archbishop Emeritus of Cardiff, attended along with the Rev Canon John Patrick, who read the Gospel.
The Very Rev Canon Mark O’Keeffe, the Dean of Plymouth Cathedral, read the Intercessions, which opened with the words: “For Ann, who in baptism was given the pledge of eternal life, that she may now be admitted to the company of the saints.”
Under the direction of Matthew Searles, Master of the Music, the abbey choir performed arrangements including JS Bach’s O Mensch, bewein’ dein’ Sünde groß and John Newton’s Amazing Grace. The organist was Charles Maxtone-Smith.
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, did not attend the event and did not wish to draw attention at Miss Widdecombe’s funeral, which the family asked to be kept private.
However, he is expected to attend a public memorial, which will be held later this year.
Those to attend include Sir Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, and Iain Dale, the broadcaster and political commentator,
The abbot and the monastic community of Buckfast had previously said they were “deeply saddened” to hear of Miss Widdecombe’s death “in such tragic and disturbing circumstances”.
They said: “Ann was a frequent worshipper in the abbey church, attending our Sunday Solemn Mass, and notably attended our Holy Week and Easter services. Many in our worshipping community knew her as a kind and warm character. She will be missed and fondly remembered.
“Ann was a woman of profound faith, a faith which found expression in the public forum of politics. Ann was unafraid to express her unwavering convictions, formed through her Roman Catholic faith. She had a sharp intellect and was a dedicated public servant.”
Buckfast Abbey has been a monastic site for more than 1,000 years and is home to a community of Roman Catholic Benedictine monks, who live their lives of prayer, work and study according to the ancient rule of St Benedict.
Donations taken in memory of Miss Widdecombe at the service were divided between The Leprosy Mission and Abound India.
A public memorial for Miss Widdecombe will be held later this year.
Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with her murder on July 20.