The former Tory PM said the move, championed by Reform UK since Ms Widdecombe was found dead at her Dartmoor home earlier this month, would be 'expensive and pointless'.

I know nothing about the death of Ann Widdecombe, and won't discuss it until after any trial which may result. But I do wish that politicians would not use it as an argument for…

The new guidance was published online just three months before the killing of former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe.