Anne Widdecombe, the former Conservative minister turned Reform UK member, has died at 78.Ms Widdecombe served as an MP for Maidstone in Kent for 23 years and was a minister of state for both prisons and employment in John Major’s government.She held the posts of shadow home secretary and shadow health secretary in opposition.She later went on to join Reform UK and become a vocal champion of Brexit.Her agents, Cloud 9 Management, confirmed her death on Friday morning.“It is with great sadness that today we announce the death of The Right Honourable Ann Widdecombe, DSG,” a statement provided to the BBC said.“We send our deepest condolences to Ann's family and friends.”Ms Widdecombe stepped down from the House of Commons at the 2010 election and went on to compete on Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Anton Du Beke.She later appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, where she finished second, in 2018.Ms Widdecombe returned to politics in 2019 with the Brexit Party – later renamed Reform UK – and won the South West England seat in the European Parliament election. She held the seat until the UK left the EU on 31 January 2020.This is a breaking news story. More follows. Subscribe here to get the latest updates from The Independent