Ann Widdecombe defended Nigel Farage’s re-election bid in Clacton as “the right course to take” in a TV interview just days before her death. The former Conservative minister turned Reform UK member died at the age of 78, her management announced with “great sadness” on Friday (10 July). Appearing on Talk TV on Wednesday (8 July), in her final TV appearance, the former MP defended the Reform UK’s leader’s decision to stand down as MP. “This is a very decisive man,” she said, adding that she believes he is “taking matters into his own hands”.

Her death was confirmed by her spokesperson on Friday morning - she was first elected to Parliament under Margaret Thatcher in 1987 before rising through the ranks

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