politics
MP Requests Memorial for Former Colleague Ann Widdecombe After Her Murder
Helen Grant has written to the Speaker of the House of Commons seeking a physical marker to commemorate former MP Ann Widdecombe. Widdecombe was found dead at her Devon home last week, and police have described the killing as a targeted attack.
Jul 17, 12:53 AM·1m read1 source
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Helen Grant has written to the Speaker of the House of Commons requesting support for a memorial to Ann Widdecombe in Parliament. BBC News reported that Widdecombe, who served as MP for Maidstone for 23 years, was found dead at her home in Devon last week. A 28-year-old white British man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Counter-terrorism police stated that Widdecombe was killed in a targeted attack and that detectives continue to investigate the motive. Grant, who succeeded Widdecombe as MP for Maidstone and the Weald in the 2010 general election, described her predecessor as a formidable Parliamentarian and committed public servant who diligently served her communities for 23 years.
The constituency became Maidstone and Malling in 2024.
Grant said Widdecombe's lasting legacy was shown by the unifying sense of loss that has transcended party lines. She added that the proposed memorial would serve as a cross-party acknowledgement of the threat to democracy posed by such violence. Widdecombe's death follows the murders of sitting MPs Jo Cox in 2016 and David Amess in 2021, both of whom received memorial plaques in Parliament.
