Politicians among mourners gathered for funeral service of Ann Widdecombe

Family, friends and colleagues attend service at Buckfast Abbey, which former MP described as her ‘safe haven’ About 100 family, friends and colleagues of Ann Widdecombe have attended a funeral service for the former Conservative minister, who was killed in her home in Devon last month. Politicians and broadcasters were among the mourners at Buckfast Abbey in Buckfastleigh, a Catholic abbey in Devon where Widdecombe regularly worshipped and which she described as her “safe haven”. A 90-minute requiem mass – where prayers are offered for the soul of the dead – was held for the former MP and Reform UK spokesperson. Before the service, police officers and sniffer dogs could be seen searching the grounds. Widdecombe died on 8 July, aged 78, after she was hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor.

Missing media or need the complete publisher report? Open The Guardian World ↗